COQUITLAM, B.C., October 9, 2025 – Get prepared for an earthquake by signing up and participating in The Great BC Shakeout drill on Thursday, October 16 at 10:16 a.m. Join schools, businesses and families across the province practicing how to be safe during an earthquake.

Great British Columbia ShakeOut

Organized by the BC Earthquake Alliance Society, the Great British Columbia ShakeOut is the largest earthquake drill in B.C. The event provides residents with opportunities to practice the ‘Drop (lock), Cover and Hold On’ earthquake protocol and to help prepare for an earthquake at home, school, office, or on the road. 

More than 3,000 earthquakes occur in British Columbia each year with most too small to be felt. However, the risk of a large magnitude earthquake able to cause significant damage is very real.

In general, people who are prepared for a major disaster will suffer fewer injuries and less property damage, and will be better equipped to care for themselves afterwards as authorities work to restore services. 

How to Participate

• Visit www.shakeoutbc.ca to register as a participant and download resources (including sound effects to play during the drill and emergency preparation information). 
• At 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, practice the “Drop (lock), Cover and Hold On’ protocol:
  • Drop to the floor or lock your walker/wheelchair in place. 
  • Cover your head and neck with your arm and, if possible, take shelter under a sturdy desk or table. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.
  • Holdon to your shelter, covering your head and neck until the shaking stops.
    • Count to 60 before getting up – this gives loose objects time to settle.
• After the drill, practice what you will do after the shaking stops.

Visit coquitlam.ca/earthquake for details on what actions to take after an earthquake, and for more preparedness information and resources. 

Get Prepared for an Earthquake

• Create a Home Emergency Plan outlining how you and the people and pets that you live with will respond during an emergency.
• Maintain an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, pet supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit to last at least 72 hours.
• Do a 'hazard hunt' in your home, workplace or classroom for items that might fall during earthquakes, and secure them.
  • Example hazards include pictures, mirrors, appliances, TVs, bookcases, water heaters, ceiling fans, etc.
• Learn how to turn off your utilities like water, gas and electricity.

Prepared BC is the Provincial Government's program that provides resources and information to help British Columbia residents and organizations prepare for and recover from emergencies. 

Media contact:

Eva Kaczmarczyk 
Manager Risk and Emergency Program
Community Safety
emergencyprogram@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.