Emergency Management Oceanside (EMO) will host its Emergency Preparedness Expo on Sept. 7 in Qualicum Beach.
The free expo by the Town of Qualicum Beach, City of Parksville and Regional District of Nanaimo, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre (747 Jones St), according to a news release by EMO.
First responders, government agencies, emergency supply vendors, utilities and emergency partners will host a variety of activities which will highlight the importance of taking steps to improve emergency preparedness and response.
Displays, demonstrations and workshops to learn about the challenges we face in an emergency and how to be better prepared.
For those who would like more in-depth information about preparedness in general, a series of free workshops will be offered on personal preparedness, FireSmart, food security, a presentation from the Ministry of Agriculture, a presentation on age and health factors for preparedness, how to register for Voyent Alert! and the short film documentary screening of Tsunami 11th Relative, which explores the history of west coast tsunamis from an Indigenous perspective.
More information will be available at emergencyoceanside.ca/ closer to the event.
Experience 'Quake Cottage', Canada’s only mobile earthquake simulator, designed to provide an experience of what it would be like to go through a major earthquake, while in a safe, controlled environment.
Quake Cottage simulates the motion, ground force acceleration, S-Wave action, and sound of a large-scale, magnitude 8.0 earthquake.
During the 35-second simulation, there is a video of a dramatized earthquake, realistic rumble sounds, as well as an ability to experience the potential hazards of falling objects.
Children age two and older may participate with a parent or guardian. Operators will answer questions before and after the simulation and work to ensure the experience is meaningful to all.
Are you prepared for an emergency? If the answer is 'no', then EMO encourages you to stop by Expo 2024. Whether you are just curious, casually interested or someone who is seriously prepared, there is something for you at this expo.
Disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face. There will be free children's activities with prizes for all who participate as well as door prizes throughout the day.
— NEWS Staff
