The city of Vancouver has revealed how it will react should a large-scale earthquake hit British Columbia.
There were 56 actions outlined in today’s report presented to the City Council.
Some of the recommendations stem from lessons learned in the devastating earthquakes in New Zealand, Chile and Japan.
The reported addressed all stages of earthquake preparedness from risk assessment to responding and recovery.
Over the next five years, the city plans to take additional steps to improve the response, including developing an on-going, city-wide emergency training and exercise program, and refining earthquake response in key areas, such as medium-term shelters, potable water, damage assessment and community response.
The report touches on liquefaction, a natural phenomenon that occurs when silty and sandy soils temporarily act as a liquid due to ground shaking, bringing silt up to the surface and damaging infrastructure and buildings.
It identifies the False Creek area of Vancouver as one with the highest risk for liquefaction.
Some of the key actions outlined in the report involve water, sewage, energy and communications systems.
The reports says water shortage could have a devastating effect on city’s ability to fight fires and keep hospitals and businesses operating.
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It points to Christchurch, New Zealand, where water stations and portable showers were set up in the wake of the 2011 earthquake.
The city says it plans to harden key components of water system in high risk areas, increase seismic resilience of reservoirs and enhance post-earthquake access to firefighting water supply.
When it comes to maintaining sewage systems, city plans to change pipe materials and install flexible couplings in high-risk areas and plan for mass provision of alternate toilet facilities.
To deal with possible power outages, gas leaks and damaged power lines, the city plans to reduce the dependence on the electricity and natural gas grids and develop plan for backup power needs.
The report says robust communication systems are of great importance to ensure people can get in touch with friends and family and call 9-1-1. The city also has to have a reliable way to communicate critical information to the public.
The city plans to work with the telecommunications companies to ensure antennas and other structures are seismically resilient and include appropriate backup power. It also plans to use social media and explore alternative methods of communication, such as text message broadcasts and phone apps.
The city says it already has a bridge response plan in place and has done seismic upgrades to key bridges. It has also developed disaster response routes.
The city plans to complete upgrading Granville Bridge to ensure it can be used by responders within hours following an earthquake.
City says it will establish a technical committee on high-risk building abatement options and establish consistency in the application of seismic upgrade requirements for existing buildings.
Finally, it says to reduce deaths, injuries, displacement and loss of livelihood, it has developed a Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program to train public in basic emergency preparedness and plans to develop Community Disaster Support Hubs to facilitate community-based response.
For the full report, go here.
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