How prepared are you for an emergency or natural disaster like an earthquake or wildfire? Chances are: not very. And that's the drive behind the national Emergency Preparedness Week, May 2 to 8 - a week for individuals to plan and prepare to help themselves through a time of crisis.
Bill Elsner, the Sunshine Coast's emergency program co-ordinator, is spending the week in the community to remind folks that when disaster strikes, being well-supplied and having plans in place is the best way to meet the crisis.
"In a disaster, emergency services will be overwhelmed, and you will probably be on your own for some time. By being prepared and having your home prepared, you'll be able to survive a disaster more comfortably," he said.
While disasters can come in many forms, and most people think first of earthquakes, Elsner said preparing for a wildfire should be a priority.
"Fires are far more likely and will happen just as suddenly and will be more damaging if it's a bad fire season. There are a lot of locations that are at high risk here," he said.
Experts are already warning that low snow packs and limited rainfall during the winter months will to result in a dry summer with a lot of forest fires.
Elsner said people should be following fire smart principles including keeping their yards and roofs free of dry combustible materials, making sure their homes are 10 metres back from surrounding forest, avoiding open burning in back yards, keeping up-to-date with weather conditions and burning restrictions and having a plan in place for how to get to safety if a home catches fire.
He said residents should also keep a "grab and go" kit with anything they may need if they have to flee in a hurry, such as spare medication, glasses, copies of important documents and cash.
Beyond those things, Elsner said people should keep a week's worth of non-perishable food and water on hand, for people and pets, because your home is the safest place to be if travel and supply runs are out of the question.
Residents not living in fire protection areas should also look at getting a foam eductor device, which can attach to a common garden hose and help mitigate the spread of a fire.
And because disasters are likely to affect more than just one home, Elsner said this week should be a reminder for people to talk with their neighbours and learn what skills everyone has that may come in handy in an emergency.
In addition to getting emergency planning brochures into the lobbies of Sunshine Coast local government offices and libraries, Elsner is also hosting two public events, including a demonstration of the activation of a reception centre, at the Holy Family Catholic Church on Nickerson Road on Monday, May 3, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Residents will also get a chance to see into the world of Search and Rescue team members with an open house at the Search and Rescue building on Field Road, Thursday, May 6, from noon until 3 p.m. Elsner welcomes questions about emergency preparedness at [email protected] or 604-885-6887.
