Know thy neighbour is a good motto. Know and prepare with your neighbour in case of an emergency is an even better one - and one that could well save you and your family's life.
At the April 1 emergency preparedness workshop in Roberts Creek, Colin Spence, volunteer with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), told the community that during a major natural disaster and in its immediate aftermath, the people you will have to rely on are your neighbours. The first part of Spence's workshop was devoted to the most common forms of home emergencies (house fires, gas leaks and medical emergencies). Through the second half of the workshop, Spence focused on the most likely extreme natural events to affect the Sunshine Coast and what people can do to prepare for them.
Forest fires, storm surges, windstorms and earthquakes are the most probable types of natural events to affect the Coast. In all cases, but especially in the event of a forest fire, Spence told the audience they need to "pay attention to emergency services telling them what to do. If they say evacuate, then evacuate, because as much as you might love your home and be attached to it, homes and the stuff in them can be replaced. Lives can't be replaced," said Spence.
If you have to evacuate, don't worry, Spence said. He said emergency social services will set up a reception area for evacuees as close to the area as possible, where people in need will be given food, clothing and shelter for at least three days. Knowing where to go for safety is very important, which is why Spence recommends every home should have a battery- or crank-operated radio.
Weather events such as storm surges and windstorms both present unique challenges depending on where a person lives, but the most likely immediate effect will be isolation from immediate help because of road flooding, downed power lines and fallen trees blocking road access.
Spence said storm surges close to shore like the one Davis Bay had a couple of years ago as well as the windstorms the last couple of winters are good examples of situations where people can become isolated. In those instances, especially in extreme forms of those instances where a community is cut off from outside help, first responders will be the community itself. If a family's home is still safe or they can go to a neighbour's home that is still safe, a well prepared family/community can wait comfortably until outside help gets there.
Heat, food, water, light and enough medical supplies will be the primary needs. If you have those, Spence said, you can wait out the situation until relief arrives. However, to do that a family and ideally a community has to be prepared. Spence said because of the nature of the Sunshine Coast, people need to look beyond the recommended 72-hour supply of food. Instead, he said, people need to plan to take care of themselves for a least a week. If they have pets, they need at least a week of food and water for them as well.
"Be prepared, not scared," said Spence. "Be prepared for the basics and then be prepared to adapt in all sorts of ways. You can do this if you remain calm and think things through."
