A Thompson Rivers University Assistant Professor Lecturer says a number of British Columbians are not prepared for disasters like earthquakes and wildfires.

Dr. Bala Nikku says it’s hard to predict earthquakes like the magnitude 2.2 quake that struck near Salmon Arm over the weekend.

“It’s not disasters which kill people, it’s the mismanagement of disasters,” he said. “In Japan, buildings can survive a magnitude of 8 or 9.”

“It is the buildings, it is the preparedness, it is the community support that makes people less vulnerable and more resilient to disasters whether it’s wildfires or earthquakes.”

He thinks it’s a good idea for families to discuss emergency plans, including having a three to seven-day emergency kit so that you’re ready when you need to be.

“There are people with disabilities, there are pregnant women, there are children out there,” Dr. Nikku said. “I mean, it’s the poor and vulnerable communities that are more exposed to disasters.”

“Facing disasters should be a discussion and families should have some kind of insurance. There should be a lot of awareness.”

He said about 70 per cent of the British Columbians surveyed said they know that earthquakes are the major disaster that they would face, but only 40 per cent of them are prepared.

“Similarly, with the wildfires, only about 80 per cent of people consider it to be an emergency and only 40 per cent of people have some kind of insurance,” Dr. Nikku said.

“There’s a lot more work to be done.”

BC experience over 3,000 earthquakes each year, the most of any Canadian province, though a number of them are offshore.