Sooke Takes Part in Great BC Shake Out
Sooke, BC – January 12, 2011
On January 26, 2011 at 10:00 am thousands of British Columbians will “drop, cover, and hold on” in the Great British Columbia Shakeout, the largest earthquake drill in Canadian history.
Province wide, there are currently over 250,000 registered participants for the “Shake Out” and this number is growing each day. Sooke is registered and there are currently five local schools committed to carry out their earthquake drills, including evacuation of the school. In a mock exercise, the schools will also contact either Juan de Fuca emergency radio personnel or the local Amateur radio group using CB radios with scripted information that will start the process to activate the Sooke Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).
Emergency services (police, fire and EMS) will also participate by activating their lights and sirens at different locations. The Sooke Emergency Social Service staff have been busy handing out posters and brochures to as many businesses as they are able to contact over the past few days and will continue doing so. Radio stations and local newspapers have been contacted and have been airing information on this exercise for the past week.
“The Shake Out is a great opportunity for our community to practice and participate in disaster preparedness.” said Fire Chief Steve Sorensen.
People are invited to visit the web site www.shakeoutbc.ca for more information concerning registration and what they can do to prepare themselves for this emergency both at home or where they work.
For more information, contact:
Sooke Fire Department
District of Sooke
Tel: 250-642-5422
Fax: 250-642-3840