British Columbians only need to recall the last two flood and wildfire seasons to be reminded of some of the hazards in the province and the importance of being prepared.
Planning ahead can help protect loved ones and reduce stress in the event of any kind of emergency, including a natural disaster. This Emergency Preparedness Week, May 5-11, 2019, all British Columbians are encouraged to make a plan, compile a kit and build resiliency in their homes and communities.
“The best way to keep safe in the event of an emergency is to ensure your household is ready in advance,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “PreparedBC has the resources British Columbians need to get started on making plans that will help them cope through the initial stages of any emergency.”
PreparedBC is getting back to basics this year by focusing on three key steps:
1. know the hazards in your local area;
2. make a plan to help keep focused and safe during an emergency; and
3. build an emergency kit and assemble grab-and-go bags.
“It’s fantastic to see communities around B.C. taking part in emergency preparedness activities,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “Tofino took a great step towards tsunami preparedness with its recent high-ground hike event and I applaud the many communities that are holding emergency preparedness events throughout the week.”
One of the ways the Province is supporting Emergency Preparedness Week is by participating in national public safety emergency notification system testing. The Alert Ready system will be tested in B.C. on Wednesday, May 8 at 1:55 p.m. During the test, an alert will be broadcast on radio and television stations, as well as on compatible wireless devices. This testing is designed to assess the system’s readiness for an actual emergency and identify any adjustments that need to be made.
For more information on how to best prepare loved ones for an emergency, see the links below.
Learn More:
PreparedBC is a one-stop shop for disaster readiness information. For tips on how to prepare an emergency plan and what to include in an emergency kit, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC
