VICTORIA, BC, Oct. 8, 2026 /CNW/ -- Make sure you know how to protect yourself when an earthquake occurs. The Great British Columbia ShakeOut (ShakeOut BC) event encourages participants to practise what to do when an earthquake alert is received or shaking is felt.

Join us at Island Health's Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria on October 15 to "Drop, Cover, and Hold on" during Canada's largest earthquake drill.

ShakeOut BC, a BC Earthquake Alliance Society (BCEA) event that has been held annually since 2011, is an opportunity to practise how to stay safe when an earthquake strikes. By rehearsing the "Drop, Cover, and Hold on" response, participants create muscle memory, which helps them respond quickly and move to safety during a real earthquake.

Earthquakes come with very little warning. Alerts from the national Earthquake Early Warning system can only provide seconds to tens-of-seconds to react, so it is important to take immediate action.

Members of the media are invited to join representatives from the ShakeOut BC Organizing Committee, BCEA, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Island Health, and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for the drill event. An information booth from ShakeOut BC will be on site. Island Health will be engaging in mock post-earthquake activities at the facility.

This year's theme is earthquake preparedness fundamentals.

Date: October 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT (drill at 10:15 a.m.)
Where: Atrium in the Patient Care Centre, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria

Spokespeople in attendance:

• Erin Stockill, Vice President, BCEA
• Greg Moy, Manager, Government Relations, Pacific & Western, Insurance Bureau of Canada
• Alison Bird, BCEA Director and Earthquake Seismologist, Natural Resources Canada

You can ShakeOut at home, work, school, or even through a video conference with your friends and colleagues. Sign up today and encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to do the same at www.ShakeOutBC.ca.

Quotations:

Erin Stockill, Vice President, BCEA:

"We're thrilled to see so many British Columbians committed to preparedness, with hundreds of thousands already signed up for our latest BC ShakeOut. We are grateful to our sponsors and partner organizations, and to Island Health for hosting this year's drill at Royal Jubilee Hospital. We encourage everyone in the province to join us—this practice could save your lives."

Greg Moy, Manager, Government Relations, Pacific & Western, IBC:

A significant earthquake in southwestern British Columbia is only a matter of time. In fact, Natural Resources Canada estimates the probability to be 30 per cent over the next 50 years. It is important that everyone is prepared and knows how to respond quickly to protect themselves and their loved ones. That's why IBC is proud to support ShakeOutBC and its important work reminding people across the province to be ready for a major earthquake."

Background information:

About ShakeOut BC

ShakeOut BC earthquake drills help people at home, school and work practice how to be safe during an earthquake and provide an opportunity for everyone to improve their overall preparedness. By participating, you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly following an earthquake. As of today, millions of people worldwide are registered to participate in the October 15 drill, including nearly 850,000 people in British Columbia.

About BC Earthquake Alliance Society

Founded in 2010, the BC Earthquake Alliance (BCEA) is a not-for-profit Society. We are dedicated to promoting awareness and enabling preparedness for earthquakes and tsunamis across British Columbia. BCEA educates, connects, collaborates and acts as an emergency preparedness champion. Our vision is a future where everyone in BC is earthquake and tsunami resilient. To learn more about the BC Earthquake Alliance, visit bcearthquakealliance.ca.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market.

As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow.

IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses.

For media releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit ibc.ca. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.

SOURCE Great British Columbia ShakeOut