This is Emergency Preparedness Week across the country and officials in many jurisdictions, including here in Greater Victoria, want residents to Plan, Prepare and Be Aware.
Public Safety Canada coordinates the annual event, working together with community leaders, first responders, non-government organizations and all levels of government in helping Canadians take action to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.
Be aware & ready for potential weather-related emergencies by following https://t.co/c4j7Bjvq29. #EPWeek https://t.co/CsRlh1DY3W pic.twitter.com/pEtiS4Dk61
— Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) May 12, 2017
The City of Victoria has also gotten on board to provide some tips for emergency preparedness at home and at work, and when caring for children, your pets or the elderly. Other useful tips include knowing your neighbours, making sure your cell phone is always charged and stockpiling extra tins of food whenever you’re at the store.
Living on Vancouver Island, the potential hazards include earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and wildfires. The Province of British Columbia provides links to materials that will help prepare residents to cope with the stress associated with emergencies.
They also suggest having an emergency kit on hand and ready to go, so when disaster strikes you’re already packed with up to 72 hours of food, water and supplies.
A local Island company based in Lantzville recently launched a website selling pre-made survival kits from GetMyKit.ca. These kits offer basic necessities like food, water, emergency shelter, and first aid.
“We focus on taking that thought process out of it for the consumer … It’s ready to go for you. It’s everything you need to survive,” company owner Chad McGillivary told our sister paper, the Nanaimo Bulletin.
“You can grab this kit and be outside and you’ve got … there’s a ton of items in these kits. It’s everything.”
The company also provides free disaster preparedness planning materials as well.
