The 2023 iteration of Toka Tū Ake EQC’s national ShakeOut event in Aotearoa witnessed participation of more than 680,000 people, the Crown entity reported.
The final count of participants is expected to be confirmed on the ShakeOut site in the following weeks, with the council expressing hopes of it surpassing the 2022 record of over 700,000 sign-ups.
The event brought together a multitude of people who engaged in the earthquake preparedness exercise known as “Drop, Cover, and Hold.” It was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency and featured a live-streamed demonstration by hundreds of primary students on Great Barrier Island.
Toka Tū Ake, as part of its public education program, consistently provides funding for ShakeOut, with the aim of empowering all New Zealanders to be better prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis.
“It’s a valuable opportunity for individuals, families, communities, and organisations to practice and refine their earthquake response plans, which can make a significant difference when reacting to an earthquake,” Hamish Armstrong, Toka Tū Ake EQC public education manager, said in a news release.
“It's incredible to see so many hundreds of thousands of people sign up and take part in ShakeOut each year. It's a great opportunity to get our whānau, our friends, and workplaces thinking about how we can be better prepared,” he said.
He also said that ShakeOut encourages people to think about taking simple yet effective measures to safeguard their homes against earthquake hazards. These measures include securing tall and heavy furniture and appliances and using tools like Blu Tack or Quake Wax to secure breakables. These actions, according to Amstrong, are crucial steps to initiate, and any effort invested now will yield substantial benefits in the future.
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