Are you ready for a disaster?
Shakeout BC, the annual Provincial earthquake drill is right around the corner. This year, on October 20th at 10:20am, British Columbians across the province will be practicing their Drop, Cover and Hold On techniques.
It is also the time to think about making sure you and your family are ready for an earthquake.
PreparedBC gives us some great advice to make preparing for emergencies as easy as possible for you and your family:
Depending on the incident, you and your family could be on your own for several days while first responders manage the aftermath.
Sounds daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By completing the following steps, you’ll be well on your way to being ready.
Know the Risks
Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and wildfires are just some of the potential hazards in B.C. Familiarize yourself with the ones that could occur in your community.
Prepare Your Home
A household plan will help you cope with the stress of emergencies. Download a copy of the PreparedBC: Household Preparedness Guide (PDF) and the companion PreparedBC: Household Emergency Plan (PDF). Fill in the blanks and you’re on your way to a prepared household in 11 easy steps.
Build an Emergency Kit
When disaster hits, there won’t be time to collect emergency supplies. Ensure you have emergency kits for your home, office and vehicle. They should all contain food, water and supplies for a minimum of 72 hours.
Meet Your Neighbours
When disaster strikes, we’re in it together. The most immediate help following a disaster will come from those directly around – your neighbours. Connecting with them today, and working together to prepare, will mean a better response and faster recovery.
Download a copy of the In it Together: Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide (PDF) and start the conversation today.
Stay Informed Contact your local government’s emergency management program to find out how it will share alerts and instructions during an emergency, whether it’s via social media, sirens, radio or television. The most important thing is to seek out credible sources so you can make good decisions during a disaster.
Start by bookmarking these trusted provincial channels:
@HEMBC for health authority specific emergency information
@PreparedBC for preparedness information
@EmergencyInfoBC and Emergency Info BC for alerts
@BCGovFireInfo for wildfire updates
Visit the HEMBC page on VCH Connect for more information on Shakeout BC and Personal Preparedness.