Every year on October 15th, at 10:15 a.m. in British Columbia, we practice the earthquake drill.
Do you travel frequently and reside in an area that is not on an fault line? Do you ever visit Vancouver or Victoria and live in the Prairie provinces? Have you considered practicing the drill anyways especially if you frequent areas where earthquakes can occur (even in another country)?.
As part of travel prep, it is always a smart idea to consider reviewing the areas risks and hazards, including earthquakes. for example, I always review the area I am staying in prior to departure, not just earthquake risks but weather. Once I arrive at my destination, I look at the space and consider where I would “Drop! Cover! Hold on!”. Hotels always have a desk that is sturdy enough to curl up under. I always take time-out to do some emergency planning on the first day of my trip.
Key things to remember:
- Speak to front-desk to find out emergency protocols that are in place
- Take a few minutes to crawl under the desk so you know how to get in the space safely.
- Be sure all heavy objects are on the floor to avoid injuries for you and your family / friends.
- Most shakes last 60 seconds, but afterwards check yourself and your friends/family in the room for injuries. Note that aftershocks will be frequent for a while
- Wait for instructions before leaving your room. Text (do not call to tie up lines) your immediate family or outside contact to inform them of the status of how you are doing.
Individuals who use a walker or wheelchair full-time will need to find a wall to face, park the mobility device, attempt to cover their head with their arms as much as possible. If you are in bed, cover yourself with your blanket and pillow to prevent from serious injuries from falling objects.
September and October Updates
September and October flew by with lots of activities–consulting work, advocacy work, and special events, such as International Day of Sign Language on September 23rd.
On October 29th, in Toronto at CNIB’s “Connecting The Dots”, I’ll be speaking on “Ready Together: Shaping an Inclusive Response to Emergencies”. The session information reads: “Emergency preparedness must work for everyone. This session explores how accessibility and disability inclusion can be embedded into emergency planning and disaster response, with practical insights into creating safer, more resilient communities where people with sight loss are considered from the outset.”