News release
For immediate release

 

Emergency Preparedness Week: be prepared, know your risks  

Saanich, BC – The Saanich Emergency Program invites residents to take part in Emergency Preparedness week from May 7-13. This year, the theme is Emergency Preparedness: Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. Participants will learn how to identify risks in their area and how they can take action to protect themselves, their families and their community during an emergency.

“Being prepared means having a plan to meet your household’s needs in an emergency. This is often easier than we think,” said Captain Erin Stockill, Emergency Program Officer. “We want to remind people that they are the expert in their family’s preparedness. Every household is unique and community resilience starts with individuals and families. Knowing your risks is an important way to inform how you prepare. Although the consequences of a disaster can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and region can help you better prepare.”

Saanich could experience a number of emergencies including earthquake, tsunami, severe weather and pandemic, amongst others. Take time to consider how to stay safe during different types of emergencies, which types of home modifications reduce the risk of injury and property damage and how to safely stay at home after certain disasters.

Saanich recommends preparing a kit to be self-sufficient for a minimum of seven days. Individual families should know what their needs are to support themselves for the duration.

Tips:

The Saanich Emergency Program is offering a few simple tips to get you started:

• Start simple, start now: Start with simple, easy to accomplish tasks. Place one item for your grab and go bag on the kitchen counter now - like a roll of toilet paper. Add another item every day. When the pile gets too big, put it in a bag and keep adding to it!

• It’s easier than you think: you already have most of the items you need for an emergency kit. Centralize the items you already have in a bin and access it regularly so that it’s familiar and up to date. Where’s the flashlight? In the emergency kit!

• Shop smart: 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’re the expert: remember you are the expert in your household’s preparedness. Seven days of preparedness depends entirely on who lives in your home and those unique needs. What are yours?

Learn more:

The Saanich Emergency Program invites you to participate in the following activities during Emergency Preparedness Week:

• Attend a Preparedness 101 presentation on May 16, 7 - 8 p.m. at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Register for this presentation online here or call Saanich Commonwealth Place reception at 250-475-7600. 

• Get involved! Volunteer with the Saanich Emergency Program. Join us on May 30 from 7 - 8 p.m. for a Volunteer Information Session. Register online here or call G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre reception at 250-475-5400. 

• Attend Preparedness 100 – Speaker Series! We’re hosting Cheryl Rogers, Mobile Support Coordinator for the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART). May 9, 7 – 8 p.m. at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. Register for this presentation online here or call Cedar Hill Recreation Centre reception at 250-475-7121.
• Visit our YouTube channel and watch our videos on breaking down barriers to preparedness and how to make your very own dry toilet!
• Follow our 26 Weeks to Preparedness Twitter campaign. Each week we will share a simple preparedness tip leading up to The Great BC ShakeOut; by week 26 your household will be prepared for a minimum of seven days.

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

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Media contact:
Captain Erin Stockill, Emergency Program Officer
Saanich Fire Department
Erin.Stockill@saanich.ca
250-475-7140