Emergency Management BC defends earthquake response time
Posted January 5, 2013 4:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – BC’s public safety association says it has learned its lesson after last October’s 7.8 earthquake off Haida Gwaii.
Many found the province’s response to that quake lacking, and dozens took to social media with criticism.
But Chris Duffy with Emergency Management BC says response time has improved.
“I think that was one of the big successes this time around. The social media unit had tweets out in a matter of minutes, 10 or 15 minutes at the most.”
Duffy adds local emergency teams in the affected areas also responded quickly and efficiently this time around.
“I think the notification process has happened quicker than the October event form Haida Gwaii. I think the local authorities responded well, their emergency plans were in place and looked to be effective and efficient.”
That hasn’t stopped dozens taking to social media once again to criticize BC’s response, with many saying they had still had to rely on American notifications to find out what was going on.
“We’ll debrief and review this event as we do with every one. It’s a very timely reminder, yet again, for emergency managers, local authorities and for families and individuals on preparedness.”
As for the charges that response was slow, Duffy wants to remind people they have to sign up for provincial alerts to get them.
