Thousands of people across the province have now participated in this year’s earthquake drill as part of B.C.’s annual shakeout drill.
Emergency dispatchers are taking this opportunity to remind the public about when they should be dialing 911 as they found calls increased by 1,500 per cent following the 2015 earthquake in Vancouver.
Officials at E-Comm where the 911 calls are taken, say it’s important to keep those lines clear.
“None of those calls were emergencies and none of them were situations where anybody was injured or in jeopardy of being injured,” said Jody Robertson, director of corporate communications and corporate secretary at E-Comm.
WATCH: Today was the Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill around the province. Our BC Legislature bureau chief and earthquake warden Keith Baldrey explains how one of the most vulnerable buildings Victoria prepared to stay safe.
In 2015, the earthquake drill set a new record with nearly 8,000 people taking part.
There are more than 3,000 earthquakes in B.C. each year and taking part in the drill is a way for residents to prepare themselves for “the big one.”
WATCH: The 2015 Shakeout drill: