On Wednesday Nov 23,2011 an Emergency Management Conference was held in Victoria, B.C. at the conference centre. Speakers included Jon Mitchell ,Manager, Regional Emergency Management Office, Canterbury New Zealand, and Carolyn Taylor from Duncan B.C who was in Christchurch, NZ when the February 22, earthquake struck. In addition Sonja Ruthe from the Canadian Red Cross spoke of the Slave Lake Alberta recovery from the Wildfires of this year. Kelli Kryzanowski, from Emergency Management BC, spoke of the ongoing recovery in Japan and LIsa Pierce of the Red Cross spoke of the ongoing issues in Hati.

The audience included people from the various areas of emergency management, and the house was full.

Rob Johns and Brock Henson from the Emergency Management of Victoria and Saanich showed the similiarities of Christchurch and Victoria. The similiarities are very similiar and served as a very real reminder of what could happen to Victoria and Vancouver Island should there be a significant earthquake.

All in all a very interesting day that included a 4.0 magnitude earthquake 165km nw of Port Alice on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There was no reported damage.

Compliments to Ron Johns and Brock Henson for their organization of the day and to the City of Victoria, the Municipality of Saanich, the Capitol Regional District and Emergency Management BC for their support.

Posted on November 24, 2011 by va7mpg