We're In It Together

Are you ready for Emergency Preparedness Week?

The team at PreparedBC has declared May 4 to 10 Emergency Preparedness Week in British Columbia.

And they want you to know that being prepared is more than just gathering supplies for grab-and-go bags. When British Columbians work together, including individuals, First Nations, busiiness organizations and all levels of government, can improve both our response and recovery following an emergency.

This year’s theme is “In it together.” PreparedBC are encouraging everyone to get to know their neighbours and identify those who may need extra support. By being personally prepared, you can support others in your community who may need a little extra help.

Lions Bay Emergency Support Services Director Mary Brown says the two earthquakes we experienced a few months ago should have been a reminder to re-evaluate our home and car emergency preparations. "In a significant quake it is possible that the Village will be isolated from outside help," she added.

"'In It Together' not only refers to family, but to community," Brown says. "When a major emergency event occurs, our family members may not all be together. Our pets may not be with us. We will need to rely on neighbours."

Brown says she has tried to put forward the idea of neighbourhood 'pods' of about 20 houses can band together to help each other. "Who has a generator, who has building material, who can take in an extra animal or child? But there hasn’t been a lot of buy-in from the community."

This week, the PreparedBC team will host free webinars every day at 5:30 p.m. (PDT).

Topics include:  

• Inclusive preparedness: May 5 at 5:30 p.m. (PDT)

• Cultural safety and preparedness: May 6 at 5:30 p.m. (PDT)

• Animal preparedness: May 7 at 5:30 p.m. (PDT)

• Insurance: why it matters: May 8 at 5:30 p.m. (PDT)

• Community preparedness: May 9 at 5:30 p.m. (PDT)

You can register to attend online HERE. All attendees will be entered to win a four-person home emergency kit.

Brown reminds all Lions Bay residents to have a plan in case family members are separated when an event occurs. "Have an out-of-area emergency contact that family members can check in with," she says. "Talk about it as a family. Have emergency supplies in your car as well."

To learn more, visit Emergency Preparedness Week or email PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca.

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