Earthquake Preparedness: Before, During and After

With more than 1,200 recorded earthquakes every year in British Columbia it is becoming increasingly important to be prepared.

The coast of mainland BC and in particular Vancouver Island and Campbell River are considered to be high risk earthquakes zones.  In this region, tectonic plates are constantly moving apart, sliding past one another and colliding with each other.  It is the grinding of these plates that cause continual small earthquakes sometimes days apart sometimes decades apart and it is this type of movement that also causes some of the world’s largest earthquakes.

It is now more important than ever to be prepared for the big one, however putting together an earthquake kit can seem somewhat overwhelming; having the resources immediately at hand to deal with the emergency may make the difference of life or death or at the very least comfort or discomfort.  There is no substitute for being prepared.

Sharing these simple guidelines with family, friends and neighbours may save lives, take the time to prepare now.

One of the primary questions asked today is in regards to tsunamis; because of its geographical location Campbell River and area are considered at low risk for a tsunami. Having said that, the theory has never been tested so the best course of action against protecting yourself from a tsunami it to move quickly to high ground immediately following a strongly felt earthquake.

Prepare your family

• Determine hazards in and around your home and neighbourhood.

• Develop your family emergency evacuation plan. Familiarize yourself with your community’s emergency evacuation plans and for people with school age children also familiarize your family with the schools emergency plan.

• Educate yourself and your kids on the safe spots in each room best under sturdy tables, desks or bureaus and preferably protected from windows that may implode.

• Insure the family knows the danger spots – windows in particular, mirrors, hanging objects, heavy objects on tall shelves, fireplaces and tall unsecured furniture. 

• Practice family drills.  Physically move into a safe location.  This is especially important for small children as when an earthquake happens you may not be in the same room. 

• Have each person of age take a first aid course and CPR, and know where the first aid supplies are stored.

• Keep a listing of emergency numbers in more than one location in the house, in addition to each individual emergency kit and make sure the kids know where those numbers are.

• Prepare a family emergency kit with supplies for at least 72 hours, and store it in an accessible and safe location.  Ensure it has a crank up or battery operated radio.

• Communication devises may be compromised after a quake, plan to have all family members meet at a pre-designated location such as a neighbourhood school, should an earthquake occur when family members are separated.

• Prepare a pre-designated contact person outside of province to be contacted.

• Keep a pair of sturdy shoes beside the beds of each member of the household.

Prepare your Home

• Learn how to shut off gas, electricity and water, teach all children of age how to do this.

• Keep breakables or heavy objects on bottom shelves or have them secured in place.

• Secure all tall and heavy furniture which could topple, such as bookcases, china cabinets or wall units.

• Secure water heaters and appliances.

• Secure hanging plants and heavy picture frames or mirrors (especially over beds). 

• Install latches on cabinet doors to hold them closed during shaking.

• Keep flammable and hazardous liquids such as paints, pest sprays or cleaning products in a garage or outside shed and away from anything that may cause a spark.  Keeping in mind not to place products together that could spontaneously combust if their vapors and or contents mix.

• Remove or top any large trees that are close to your house and may fall on the house.

• Maintain enough emergency supplies for a minimum of three days including; food, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, a portable battery-operated radio, medicines, first aid kit and warm and wet weather clothing.

During the Shaking

There is no substitute for Drop, Cover and Hold. 

• If you are indoors, stay there.  Drop, cover and hold.  Get under a desk or table and hang on. 

• If outdoors, get into an open area away from trees, telephone poles, brick buildings, chimneys and power lines.

• If in a high-rise building, stay away from windows and outside walls.  Get under a table or desk and do not use the elevator.

• If driving, when it is safe to do so look around for hazards such as power poles and trees then pull your car to the side of the road and stop.  Avoid overpasses or power lines.  Remain inside until the shaking is over.

• If in a crowed public place, do not rush for the doors, stay in doorways and archways and do not enter a staircase.  Move away from display shelves containing glass or objects that may fall.

• In all instances, drop, cover and hold; protect your head as much as possible.

After the Shaking Stops

The danger does not subside immediately after the shaking stops, often there is still the danger of falling debris, hydro lines and structures whose integrity has been compromised.  First and foremost, look up and around you before leaving your safe spot. remove yourself from any clear and present danger.  Stay calm and check yourself and those near you for injuries, apply first aid if necessary, be prepared for aftershocks.  Do not remove any seriously injured individuals unless they are in immediate danger.

After you have gone through your list, and everything is OK, then place and OK sign in your front window to let emergency workers know, this process saves them time when they are canvassing door to door.  If you require help place a sign that says HELP in the front window.  Have this sign made up in advance.

If your home is severely damaged and unsafe move out immediately, gather your supplies together and proceed to the nearest evacuation center.  The local emergency program will use radio and/or if required PA systems on first responder vehicles to tell you what they have opened and how to get there.

• Carefully survey the area and check for fires, gas and water leaks and damaged electrical wiring or sewer lines.  Check chimneys, roofs, walls, and foundations for structural damage.  If you suspect there is serious damage, remove yourself from the building.  Only attempt to turn off the lines if it does not pose a threat to you.

• Keep in mind that there may be other types of hazards caused by earthquakes including fire, landslides, highway damage, dam failures, liquefaction, cracks etc.  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefaction

• Check food and water supplies.  Emergency water may be obtained from water heaters, melted ice cubes, back of toilet tanks and canned vegetables.

• Seek out sources of uncontaminated water.  In an emergency, purify water by straining through a paper towel or several layers of clean cloth and by boiling vigorously for at least six minutes.  In your own kit have a water filter kit (used for hiking) or water treatment kit. (Pristine Water Purification Systems)

• Do not use BBQ’s, camp stoves or un vented heaters indoors.

• Do not flush the toilet if the sewer line is damaged.  You may also need to consider digging an outhouse.

• Do not use the telephone unless there is a severe injury or fire to report.

• Turn on your portable radio for instructions and news reports, and cooperate fully with public safety officials.

• Keep Disaster Response Routes clear for emergency vehicles.

• Be prepared for aftershocks, they could be as strong as the first shake.

• Keep in mind that most casualties from earthquakes are a result of falling or flying debris and partial building collapse, like toppling chimneys, ceiling plaster, shattered glass and light fixtures.

Your Emergency Kit 

Suggested places to store emergency supply kits at home are:  under a bed, in a closet close to the front door, or in a one story structures like a garage or shed, any place that is cool, dry and dark, but easily accessible even if the building is damaged.

• Water – two litres of water per person per day (Include a few small bottles to carry with you).

• Food – at least a three day supply.  Select food that will not spoil easily, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (these should be replaced at least once a year).

• Manual can opener, knife and eating utensils.

• Photo copies of all your important documents, medical papers, birth certificates, drivers license and credit cards.

• Wind-up or battery powered flashlight (extra batteries, candles and matches or a lighter)

• First aid kit

• Special needs items – pet food, prescription medications, infant formula, or equipment for people with disabilities

• Extra keys for your car and house

• Cash – include smaller bills, such as $10 bills and change for pay phones

• Emergency plan – include a copy in your kit as well as contact information

• Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning

• Change of clothing and footwear for each member of the household, including wet weather clothing.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each member of the household.

• Toiletries.

• Toilet paper.

• Utensils.

• Garbage bags & Duct Tape.

• Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets, or a hand pump water purifier.

• Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdriver, work gloves, pocket knife, shovel)

• Small fuel-operated stove and extra fuel.

• A tarp and tent with rope or string (optional).

Grab and Go Kit for Each Family member including pets

• Whistle for each member of the family.

• Cash – include smaller bills, such as $10 bills and change for pay phones.

• A complete change of clothing including wet weather cover, sturdy shoes and a warm jacket.

• Specific medication needs.

• Water.

• Emergency plan – include a copy in your kit as well as contact information.

• Flashlight and pocket knife.

• Small First Aid kit.

• Garbage Bags & Duct Tape.

• Some Granola Bars or Food that will not spoil.

Your First Aid Kit

You first aid kit should be accessible and portable.  A small tackle box or a water tight container makes a good first aid kit, or it can be as simple as a re-sealable freezer bag (double bagged).  Consider the type of first aid kit you plan to build and where you will keep it.

Keeping your home first aid it in a central location helps to keep it accessible during large or small emergencies, it’s a good idea to maintain individual first aid kits for the home, car, trailer or boat.  Some places to keep first aid kits include:

• Bathroom cabinet

• Kitchen cabinet

• Car

• Boat

• Workshop

• Garage

In the case of emergency earthquake preparedness keep one close to an entrance to the house.

No matter what you pack for bandaging material or splints, it is highly recommended that your first aid kit have a cellular phone.  Although in some circumstances you may not be able to access emergency medical services, a cell phone will give you a head start.

Cell phones require enough battery power to turn on but they don’t need a contract with a service to call 9-1-1-.  Federal law mandates that cell phones must be able to reach 9-1-1 at any time, regardless of service agreement, therefore an old cell phone will do.  If you don’t have one, there are programs to unite old, unused cell phones with people who need them for emergencies. 

It is also a good idea to include a laminated list of contacts, with phone numbers out of the region.  Anyone with a medical problem should have their up-to-date medical information on a laminated sheet of paper and some emergency medication included in the kit. 

For the rest of your first aid kit, you’ll need:

• Acetaminophen, or ibuprofen or some other pain reliever

• Tweezers

• Alcohol wipes

• Antiseptic hand cleaner

• Medical adhesive tape

• Sterile gauze (several different sizes)

• Elastic bandages

• Several sizes of adhesive bandages

• Insect bit swabs

• Triple-antibiotic ointment

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Bandage scissors

• Triangular bandages

• Instant cold packs (2)

• Exam gloves

• Barrier device for CP

• Also include a first aid book to assist when the only person available to administer first aid does not have the knowledge.

To purchase ready to use First Aid Kits:

St John Ambulance Brigade

Campbell River Red Cross

Resources

About Campbell River Emergency Disaster Assistance Team

Campbell River Emergency Disaster Assistance Team is a community based provincial emergency response program that provides short term disaster relief in the event of fires, floods and earthquakes, both small and large scale, an this Emergency Social Services team; who in the event of an emergency or disaster will be charged with the responsibility of opening a reception center in which to coordinate all services and supplies.

In cooperation with other agencies the Campbell River Emergency Disaster Assistance Team also creates presentations to organizations and schools on how to prepare for a disaster event or emergency. These services include:

• Referrals for food, clothing and lodging

• Family reunification

• Emotional Support

• First Aid

• Information

• Pet Services

• Child Care

• Communication

In addition; The Team identifies training needs for volunteers and coordinates training sessions for all members.  The exercises that are planned are designed to better prepare families and communities to enhance preparedness for any emergency.

The Team relies on the efforts of volunteers to assist in the planning process for the implementation of Emergency Services in a disaster response.  Participation by people like you will lead to effective planning, efficient action and a more expedient recovery should a disaster or emergency occur.

If you are a person who may be interested in helping people in your community, then please contact the Campbell River Emergency Disaster Assistance Team to find out how to volunteer.

The Provincial Emergency Program

Current earthquake activity and past events