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Emergency Preparedness Week: stay safe, stay prepared

Saanich, BC – This year Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 3 to 9, and now more than ever, the importance of being ready for an emergency is top of mind.

“The foundation of preparedness and community resilience starts with individuals and families, however, during this time it is also important to check in with your family, friends and neighbours who may need some extra assistance” said Deputy Fire Chief Frank Macdonald. “COVID-19 has changed the way that we can connect with one another, so reach out by phone, text message or even a written note. Our communities are stronger when we work together, and when we remember to be calm, be kind, and be safe.”

Saanich staff from various departments are currently working in the municipal emergency operations centre to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive response to COVID-19. Saanich has taken a number of measures to ensure the community and staff are safe and supported during this challenging time.

Tips:
You may find yourself with some extra time for preparedness activities these days. The Saanich Emergency Program is making it easy by offering a few simple tips to get you started:

• Set yourself up for preparedness success. Before you purchase items for a kit, centralize those you already have in a bin that is easy to access and make it part of your household routine. This ensures cycling through items and remaining familiar with the contents.
• Be grocery savvy. On grocery shops, purchase an extra can of an item that is part of your family’s regular meal routine and build toward a minimum of seven days of preparedness. Store foods familiar to your family so you are not introducing new foods at what could be a stressful time. Building your kit in advance, may reduce the strain on our supply chain from panic buying.

• You are the expert on your household’s preparedness. We strongly recommend readiness for a minimum of seven days, and what that looks like depends entirely on who lives in your home and those unique needs.

Learn more:
To ensure the message reaches as many households as possible, the Saanich Emergency Program invites you to participate in the following virtual activities during Emergency Preparedness Week:

• Get Prepared! Visit saanich.ca/prepare for helpful preparedness tips. We recommend reading through the Regional Guide to Emergency Preparedness and our page on practical preparedness. Here you will find practical and economical ideas to make preparing for emergencies easier.
• Conduct a family home hazard hunt!
• Visit our YouTube channel and watch our videos on breaking down barriers to preparedness and how to make your very own dry toilet.
• 26 Weeks to Preparedness Twitter campaign will kick off. Each week we share a simple preparedness tip and by week 26, which coincides with The Great BC ShakeOut, your household will be prepared for a minimum of seven days.
• Learn more about Saanich’s COVID-19 response at saanich.ca/COVID-19

Find more information about the Saanich Emergency Program at saanich.ca or on Twitter @SaanichEP and @SaanichFire.

Media contact: 
Frank Macdonald, Deputy Fire Chief 
Saanich Fire Department
250-475-5503
fireadmin@saanich.ca