If a major earthquake were to affect the Comox Valley, do you know how you would protect yourself and your loved ones?  Get help at a free Earthquake Preparedness Public Information Session on Wednesday, October 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Courtenay Fire Hall. The event is presented by the Comox Valley Emergency Program and hosted by the City of Courtenay.

“We’ve all heard the warnings, but there are many of us who haven’t taken precautions, or who need a refresher,” said Mike Fournier, Comox Valley Emergency Program coordinator.  “We know our region is due for a potentially large earthquake, we just don’t know when. This event will help you prepare for it.”

The information session is happening the night before the Great British Columbia Shakeout, part of the world’s largest earthquake drill.

BC has the highest earthquake risk in Canada. The last large earthquake in Courtenay was in 1946, when a magnitude 7.3 quake rattled the area for 30 seconds, knocking down chimneys and collapsing bricks from the post office building (now the Courtenay Museum). The Dyke Road was split. Had that earthquake lasted even two seconds longer, there would have been great devastation.

Emergency preparedness organizations recommend preparing to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a natural disaster.

“We’d like people to think about how they’d manage if an earthquake happened here today,” noted Fournier. “If you don’t have the answer, or if it has been awhile since you last looked into earthquake preparedness, please come to our session and get informed.”

Pre-registration for this free earthquake preparedness session is not required. The Courtenay Fire Hall is at 650 Cumberland Road. For more information on the session, please email cvep@shaw.ca or call Mike Fournier at 250-334-8890. To find out more about the Comox Valley Emergency Program, visit www.comoxvalleyemergencyprogram.com