When the wind howls and trees come down, bringing power lines with them, it’s time to check on your neighbours. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

When the wind howls and trees come down, bringing power lines with them, it’s time to check on your neighbours. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

Emergency preparedness team hold open house Oct. 27 at Lake Cowichan

Winter's on the way, it's time to prepare yourself and your family for whatever nature throws at us

The Lake Cowichan Community Preparedness Team is holding a special open house on Sunday, Oct. 27 from noon until 3 p.m. in the lower Centennial Hall.

It’s a great chance to educate yourself about emergencies, meet first responders, vendors, and government representatives to discuss how best to meet disasters head on.

Following last December’s multi-day power outage and a huge follow-up public meeting in January, a group of concerned citizens formed a committee to look at what the community needs to do to prepare for an emergency.

The main focus became the Town of Lake Cowichan as it seemed residents of each area around the lake were working on their own plans.

Now called the Lake Cowichan Community Preparedness Team, everyone has been working on the group’s goals of education for preparation.

“It is especially important to connect with neighbours who are vulnerable, live alone or have mobility or health issues prior to an emergency,” said member Carolyne Austin, echoing the CVRD’s Sybille Sanderson, who spoke recently at Lake Cowichan.

“We have engaged the RCMP, L.C. Volunteer Fire Department, the community paramedic, Cowichan Lake Community Services, a safety supply company, B.C. Hydro, and several other agencies that specialize in emergency situations. They will be available on Sunday to provide information to residents to help prepare them for an emergency in our area.”

Everyone is welcome.

Refreshments (hot dogs with all the fixings, popcorn, coffee, pop and water) will be provided courtesy of Country Grocer, the Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship Church and the fire department.


lexi.bainas@cowichanvalleycitizen.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Lake Cowichan Gazette