The ThunderBlogs

Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre’s earthquake workshop Wednesday was punctuated by presenter Matt Boyd telling attendees they should climb under their chairs.

They didn’t, since Boyd was merely explaining the best place to wait out a quake.

Twelve people participated in the first of several emergency preparedness workshops held by the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Plan. It was entitled Be Prepared, Not Scared. Most of the attendees appeared to be retirees. Other than the presenter, only one man was in attendance.

Boyd asked the crowd what they would do if an earthquake struck during the workshop.

People looked around. Some suggested taking refuge underneath the small table on which the projector sat. Boyd laughed and said that it’d be a lot like Twister if everyone tried to fit under there.

The chairs, he said, would be the best option. He told the audience getting under their chair, making sure their head was protected, and facing away from the windows in case of breaking glass would be the smartest thing to do.

Throughout the presentation, Boyd stressed the importance of preparedness. He encouraged workshop attendees to create “grab and go” bags – which would include a variety of essential items, including food, water, toiletries, a flashlight and radio – for family members.

“We’re three days away from total chaos in the city,” Boyd said. “Imagine if this city had no imported food for a week. Suddenly, it’s the strong survive.”

He said looting is a real possibility in the wake of a major disaster.

“All it would take is for one guy to throw a brick through the window,” he said.

He told participants to set up disaster plans with their families and share earthquake advice with their neighbours,

In the event of a disaster, Boyd said Kits Community Centre would become a shelter.

“As a community, we’re very, very strong,” he said.

If an earthquake were to hit the lower mainland, Boyd said Kitsilano wouldn’t have to worry about a number of the side effects, such as flooding, that would likely plague other areas of the city, like Richmond.

However, he said the area’s proximity to water means that Kitsilano residents may need to worry about the possibility of an oil spill from one of the many colossal container ships anchored in the bay, a concern made all the more relevant by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.