A system dedicated to warning people about earthquakes has officially launched in BC.
According to the BC Government, the Earthquake Early Warning System aims to warn people of earthquakes in affected areas through a network of sensors, where in the event of a potentially harmful quake, an alert would be issued through the National Public Alerting System.
The goal is for the alert to come in seconds or tens of seconds before the shaking starts, giving you time to drop, cover, and hold on.
Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma says BC is more prone to earthquakes than anywhere else in Canada.
“It’s important that we use the most advanced methods available to protect people across the province,” said Ma.
They say this system comes as part of a partnership with the federal government, with hopes it can strengthen the country’s emergency readiness infrastructure.
Along with warning people, the system would help operators trigger automatic protection measures for trains, bridges, and tunnels.
This includes stopping traffic from using bridges or tunnels, stopping trains, and opening firehouse doors for responders to deal with the earthquake’s aftermath.
The system has been in effect since Thursday, August 27.
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