Whilst UNBC campuses are not in areas susceptible to major earthquakes would you know what to do during or after an earthquake?

What to expect during an earthquake

• Rattling and shaking of furniture and fixtures.
• Considerable noise.
• Severe motion and swaying of the ground causing people to be thrown off balance.
• Failure of services and equipment such as lighting, elevators, telephones, heating and air conditioning.
• Breakage of some exterior windows causing glass to shatter.
• Toppling of free-standing cabinets and bookshelves and mounted fittings such as clocks and artwork that are not secured firmly to walls and ceilings.

What to do when inside

• Do not use elevators unless authorized by police or fire personnel
• If you are inside, stay inside. DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during an earthquake.
• Drop to your hands and knees
• Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter exists nearby, get down near an interior wall (not in a doorway) until the shaking stops.
• Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

What to do when outside

• If you are outside stay outside, DO NOT run inside the building.
• Do not go into buildings until they have been approved for re-entry.
• Go to an open and clear area away if it is safe to do so.
• Stay away from buildings, glass, trees, signs, vehicles, power lines and other hazards.

What to do when driving or in transit

• Pull over to the side of the road (when safe to do so), stop the vehicle and set the handbrake.
• Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards that could collapse.
• Leave your seatbelt fastened and protect your head and neck from car windows.

What’s next after the shaking stops?

• Strong aftershocks can continue for some time after the initial earthquake; be prepared to drop, cover and hold on again at any time.
• Once several minutes have passed without aftershocks, check yourself for injuries and cautiously assess your surroundings.
• If your building is damaged (e.g. fallen ceiling tiles, broken lights or glass, signs of the walls or foundation cracking), carefully evacuate and report to the building assembly area to await instructions, taking personnel necessities (medication, coat, purse, keys) with you.
• Assist others who need help or report the location of people requiring assistance to campus security (250-960-7058)
• Do not use telephones except to report emergencies in order to help minimize overloading these systems.
• Do not pull the fire alarm unless there is a fire.