On Thursday, October 16 at 10:16 a.m., the Village of Daajing Giids will take part in the Great BC ShakeOut, the province’s annual earthquake-preparedness drill. At that moment, wherever you are—home, school, or work—you’re asked to practise Drop, Cover and Hold On as though real shaking is occurring.
British Columbia sits on several active fault lines near the Cascadia Subduction Zone, making the region especially vulnerable to major earthquakes. The ShakeOut drill is intended to build muscle memory so that, when the ground moves, protective actions become instinctive.
The exercise is coordinated by the BC Earthquake Alliance and supported by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. According to ShakeOut BC, more than 74,000 people had already registered for the 2025 drill as of early October. It forms part of a global movement that will see millions of participants around the world take part on the same day.
In past years, provincial broadcasters have joined the effort, airing the drill live at 10:16 a.m. and encouraging listeners to practise safety steps at the same time. Many municipalities issue advance reminders for residents to review their emergency plans and household kits. The Strathcona Regional District, for example, has urged all residents to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” and to refresh their earthquake supplies afterward. The District of Saanich’s emergency program has invited schools and workplaces to register and host in-house drills, while Vancouver Island University scheduled its own ShakeOut session from 9:45 to 10:05 a.m. at multiple campus locations. These examples show that communities across the province use ShakeOut as an opportunity to strengthen readiness, identify infrastructure risks, and engage the public in emergency planning.
At exactly 10:16 a.m., participants are encouraged to drop to their hands and knees, cover their head and neck, and hold on to something stable for at least sixty seconds. After the drill, residents are asked to look around and identify potential hazards such as unsecured furniture or heavy objects that could fall during an earthquake. The exercise is not a simulation with power outages or staged rescues; rather, it is a simple, adaptable practice that can take place anywhere.
Emergency and campus planners often use ShakeOut as a test for their communication systems and response procedures. At larger institutions such as the University of British Columbia, the drill activates the campus emergency-notification system and is followed by departmental reviews of evacuation and safety protocols.
Participation by the Village of Daajing Giids supports ongoing work by the local Emergency Management Executive Committee, which continues to promote public-education initiatives and household preparedness across the community. Residents are encouraged to take part individually or with neighbours, schools, or local businesses, helping ensure that when a real earthquake strikes, the habit of Drop, Cover and Hold On is second nature.
