Oh my! Aren’t we lucky? Another safety update for your perusing pleasure? Yes, you are not mistaken! Brock Hall’s Health and Safety Committee is providing another segment to provide pertinent information from the Building Emergency Response Plan in a more informal way. Take a gander at the evacuation procedures in the event of an earthquake below.
It’s Friday and you opted to wear shorts and a thin short-sleeved top. The air conditioning is on high and you shiver as goosebumps materialize on your arms. The shivering doesn’t stop. It’s not just you. Everything is shaking!
If you are indoors
Pretend you are an arctic fox diving for a hare in the fresh snow and drop to the ground. Try your best to take cover under a sturdy table or desk. If you don’t have anything to hide under, try to use something like a book or cushion as a helmet for your head and stay near an interior wall, corner, or doorway. If you don’t have anything on hand, crouch low and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Stay away from windows and anything that may fall on you like shelves or mounted objects.
If you managed to find cover, hold on so you remain covered and be mindful of your fingers. In a strong earthquake, even heavy objects like tables can rattle and bounce. Make sure to keep yourself situated underneath it, and be prepared to move with the object until the shaking stops.
Remember, you are a diving arctic fox. Graceful, elegant, fabulous. You are not a mouse. Do not run outside in the event of an earthquake. If you are indoors when the shaking starts, stay indoors. In most buildings in British Columbia, you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops. Exterior walls are more likely to sustain damage, so if you go running out, you may be more likely to get injured. So don’t do it!
Once the shaking stops, don’t just stand up. Debris is still falling and immediately getting out from under cover may result in a bonked head. Count to 60 seconds and check your surroundings before attempting to exit. Immediate dangers to be wary of are fires, gas leaks, exposed electrical wires, leaking sewage pipes, broken water pipes, and any dangling fixtures or furnishings. It might actually be safer to remain indoors. Don’t assume it is safe to exit. There may be aftershocks. If shaking recommences, follow the instructions above.
Once shaking has stopped, and if it is safe and/or necessary to evacuate the building, follow the instructions of your resident Floor Wardens and/or Building Emergency Director. Check with your individual teams to familiarize yourself with who is a Floor Warden. The Building Emergency Director for Brock Hall is ESA Scottford Price.
Evacuate quickly, in an orderly manner, and with the utmost calm. Walk, do not run! Do not use the elevator. If possible, assist any colleagues that are unable to evacuate using the stairs. If it is unsafe to do so, direct the individual to an area of refuge or safe location within the building. Once outside the building, proceed directly to your Predesignated Meeting Area and await further instructions from Scott. The Predesignated Meeting Areas are: South – Statue of Democracy, West – Carin by East Mall, North – Law Parking Lot (maps available in the Building Emergency Response Plan; email Scott for a digital copy).
You might be a bit shaken by this event (pun definitely intended), but remember to stay in your meeting area! Do not allow anyone to re-enter the building until the Fire Department or authorized UBC building officials gives permission to do so.
Now, we know that not everyone will be indoors when an earthquake happens. You might be on lunch. Having a nice walk outdoors. Doing the stairs. Climbing a tree. On your way to a meeting. Read on and be informed of what to do in the event of an earthquake and you find yourself outdoors.
If you are outdoors
Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then make like an arctic fox and drop to the ground. If you find yourself outdoors when the shaking starts, stay outdoors. Drop as low to the ground as possible and cover your head. If you are in a crowded area, try to take cover in an area where you aren’t likely to get trampled. If there’s anything to hold on to, hold on.
Once the shaking stops, don’t just stand up immediately. Count to 60 seconds to allow debris to finish falling and survey your surroundings. Watch out for any dangers such as fallen wires, poles, and trees, and stay away from exterior walls of buildings and any heavy objects that may fall.
Proceed directly to the Predesignated Meeting Area and await further instructions from Scott or a building Floor Warden. You’re already outside. Hooray! Now don’t enter any buildings until the Fire Department or an authorized UBC building official gives the all clear.
Not everyone may be physically capable of following the above instructions for either indoor or outdoor scenarios when an earthquake strikes. If you are in a wheelchair, there are procedures for you too outlined in the Building Emergency Response Plan!
If you use a wheelchair
If you are able to, follow the above advice to emulate an arctic fox and dive for cover under a stable table and hold on until the shaking stops. If it’s not possible, try to move to an inside corner of a room if you are indoors, or to an open area if you are outdoors. Lock your wheels and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Stay away from outer walls, windows, hanging objects, shelves, and any other heavy objects stationed in high areas. Exterior walls are more likely to sustain damage during an earthquake, so you want to move to the center of any building or room you’re in during the shaking.
Use any resources available at your disposal! Shield your face from falling debris and broken glass with a blanket, seat cushion, pillow, computer monitor, tea cozy, backpack, whatever you can grab. In a state of emergency, borrowing is A-Okay.
If you are indoors when the shaking stops, make your way to an area of refuge. If you are outdoors, find a safe location to hunker down in until help arrives.
Recap
What an interesting read! And informative too! We know, and you’re welcome. To recap, remember the following essential items. Protect your head and neck! Dive like an arctic fox! Stay away from exterior walls and windows! Wait 60 seconds after the shaking stops! Keep calm and carry on! Don’t re-enter the building until given permission to do so! And, as always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above or anything in the Building Emergency Response Plan, feel free to contact Scott Price.