Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Greater Victoria students participate in province-wide earthquake drill
VICTORIA, BC – Students and staff across the District will “drop, cover and hold on” tomorrow at 10:18 a.m. for two minutes in the Great British Columbia Shakeout (ShakeOutBC). Schools will participate alongside thousands of British Columbians in the annual province-wide earthquake drill.
This year, more than 400 students at École Quadra Elementary will take the drill one step further to exercise emergency management in the event of a real-life disaster. The school will participate in a school-wide evacuation to help students become familiar with the process and a mock scenario will be incorporated to help staff identify and handle challenges that may arise.
The exercise will also include the Vancouver Island Search and Disaster Dogs Association Canada. The canines will participate in a staged scenario to help locate a trapped student and staff member in the school.
Media is invited to attend.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:
When:
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Time:
- 9:15 a.m. – Quadra Elementary participates in “Drop, Cover, Hold On” exercise
- 9:20 a.m. – School Evacuation
- 9:30 a.m. – K9 Training Exercise (in the school)
Where:
Quadra Elementary School
3031 Quadra Street, Victoria BC
This initiative falls within the District’s long-term strategy for emergency planning and preparedness. The District has been practicing evacuation and post-disaster reunification drills with parents to better prepare and raise awareness with families about emergency readiness. The District now has standardized procedures, which include the drills, forms, training, and equipment for evacuations and reunification.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Lisa McPhail
Communications & Community Engagement
Greater Victoria School District
Office: 250.475.4103