Upper Oceanview Joins Evacuation Plan

11 minutes ago

3 min read

Largest Village 'Emergency Pod' yet

by Ron McLaughlin

In the mid-summer Evacuation Plan meeting at the Hall, I was impressed with the Emergency Program Coordinator’s message, and observed from those residents who attended a genuine desire to be organized in advance of a serious event. The benefits were clear. This was enough motivation for me as Emergency services are important. I had the time and knowledge of the area I live in, Upper Oceanview, to get my neighbours together and make things as easy as possible to form a local Evacuation Plan Pod.

I sent electronic invitations, got the sign board out, and made some calls. On a warm and sunny afternoon this summer, we gathered at my family home. I was delighted that 24 neighbours ( including a few fellow ESS members), were able to attend. Those unable to attend still wanted to join the Pod and be kept informed.

This new pod encompasses 25 homes, which at nearly five percent of homes in the Village, is even more than I originally hoped for. The pod extends from the gate to the watershed at the top of Oceanview down both sides of the road to 265.

Brad Holland, with a background in business continuity planning and management, has agreed to be our Captain. He will be supported by retired engineer and former co-Block Watch Captain Brian Ulrich. They are good friends and the pod members can expect to hear from them shortly as they begin to put the logistics in place. This will include asking participants to join a local WhatsApp group, showing participants how they can pre-register with the province, and asking them to complete a family information sheet. They will be Emergency Program Coordinator Mary Brown’s conduit to us.

Take a minute to go to the Village’s home page. On the top right-hand side, you will see “Public Safety.” The two sections Evacuation Plan and Emergency Program and their subsections should be of interest to everyone as you prepare in advance for the worst. The recent Lone Pine Creek wildfire demonstrates how close to home things can be and the importance of being ready.

At the meeting Mary Brown spoke about the Evacuation Plan and Emergency Program. ESS Director Roel Coert advised of a maritime evacuation plan that he is working on putting in place. The open discussion that followed covered many areas of concern, not all of which could be answered. The going forward theme is that we are “In it together, let’s be prepared!” Executing the formation of the Pod is the first step to achieving that goal.

There is another benefit to this as well. Block Watch has been discontinued in its prior form and the Evacuation Plan Pod concept mirrors many of its strengths through being a community-builder and having neighbours looking after each other, not only during an emergency.

Community is not only about watching out for unusual behaviour at our homes while we are away. When you need help, it’s about walking your neighbour’s dog, if need be, taking out their garbage because they had to leave early, or jump starting someone’s battery because you have a charger.

The signage of the meeting attracted two potential leads to form other pods which has been handed off to Mary Brown.

I will be happy to host another meeting at our home in the fall to assist in bringing the pod closer to functional fruition. I hope to report to you afterwards that the Upper Oceanview Evacuation Pod is up and running.

There are a lot of local leaders throughout the Village. I challenge them to mirror what has occurred here. We are “In it together, let’s be prepared!” Start now.

If you have any questions please reach out. Emergency Program Director Mary Brown,EPC@lionsbay.ca and Roel Coert, Lions Bay ESS Director ess@lionsbay.ca are waiting to assist you form your neighbourhood Evacuation Plan Pod when you are ready.