Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative to help Canadians prepare for natural disasters. This special week is a national effort of provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, and Public Safety Canada. By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. It is important to:

  • Know the risks.
    All disasters have consequences. Knowing the risks specific to our community/ region can help you better prepare.
  • Make a plan.
    It will help you and your family know what to do
  • Get an emergency kit.
    You may not have access to power or tap water. As a result, you should prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

We’ve put together some helpful resources for you to help prepare yourself and your family. And be sure to follow our Facebook page for other contests and activities this week. These resources have been sourced for GetPrepared.com. 

We rely on technology more and more to keep in touch with our family, friends, and colleagues with a click of a button. But what happens in the event of a major emergency? Suddenly these tools can become vital in helping you and your family deal, get in touch and stay informed. So here are some tips on the use of technology in an emergency:

  • If possible, use non-voice channels like text messaging, email or social media. These use less bandwidth than voice communications and may work even when phone service doesn’t.
  • If you must use a phone, keep your conversation brief and convey only vital information to emergency personnel and/or family. This will also conserve your phone’s battery.
  • Unable to complete a call? Wait 10 seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion. Note, cordless phones rely on electricity and will not work during a power outage. If you have a landline, keep at least one corded phone in your home.
  • Keep a charger for your mobile device in your emergency kit. Consider getting a solar-powered, crank, or vehicle phone charger. If you don’t have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card in your emergency kit.
  • Keep your contacts up to date on your phone, email and other channels. This will make it easier to reach important contacts, such as friends, family, neighbours, child’s school, or insurance agent.
  • If you have a smartphone, save your safe meeting location(s) on its mapping application.
  • Conserve your smartphone’s battery by reducing the screen’s brightness, placing your phone in airplane mode, and closing apps you are not using. You never know how long a power outage will last!

Remember, in an emergency or to save a life, call 9-1-1 for help. You cannot currently text 9-1-1. If you are not experiencing an emergency, do not call 9-1-1. If your area offers 3-1-1 service or another information system, call that number for non-emergencies.

In a country that borders on three oceans and spans six time zones, creating an emergency response system that works for every region is a huge challenge. That’s why emergency management in Canada is a shared responsibility. That means everyone has an important role to play, including individuals, communities, governments, the private sector and volunteer organizations.

Basic emergency preparedness starts with each individual. If someone cannot cope, emergency first responders such as police, fire and ambulance services will provide help.

If the municipality needs additional assistance or resources, they can call on provincial/territorial emergency management organizations, who can seek assistance from the federal government if the emergency escalates beyond their capabilities. Depending on the situation, federal assistance could include policing, national defence and border security, and environmental and health protection.

Requests for assistance are managed through Public Safety Canada, which maintains close operational links with the provinces and territories. It can take just a few minutes for the response to move from the local to the national level, ensuring that the right resources and expertise are identified and triggered.

Public Safety coordinates Emergency Management Requests for Federal Assistance which can include:

  • Logistics or transportation support
  • Assistance to civil order
  • Administration of the Supporting the Canadian Red Cross’s Urgent Relief Efforts Related to COVID-19, Floods and Wildfires and the Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies programs which provide funding assistance in support of the federal response to events.
  • Assistance with COVID-19 vaccine roll out operations
  • Deployment of a mobile health unit
  • Employment of the Canadian Armed Forces as a support force of last resort

The GOC continues to coordinate formal requests for assistance from federal departments and provincial and territorial governments. For example, for pandemic-related requests, the GOC works with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) and others as required.

Everyone responsible for Canada’s emergency management system shares the common goal of preventing or managing disasters. Public Safety Canada is responsible for coordinating emergency response efforts on behalf of the federal government. More information is available on the Public Safety web site at www.publicsafety.gc.ca (click on “Emergency Management”).

Your Emergency Preparedness Guide (ENG/PDF)
Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs (ENG/PDF)
Emergency Preparedness for Farm Animals (ENG/PDF)

“What to Do” Preparedness Guides:
Floods (ENG/PDF)
Severe Storms (ENG/PDF)
EarthQuakes (ENG/PDF)
Power Outages (ENG/PDF)

Home Emergency Kits

Wildfires and floods in Northern Interior BC have become a unfortunate normal in recent years. We encourage our communities to be proactive in assembling a home emergency kit.

It is a good idea to keep your home emergency kit updated. Set a reminder to review annually for expired items will keep your kit ready. If you don’t have the time to put together an emergency kit, there are several that can be purchased for home and vehicle use from www.canadiansafetysupplies.com for single to multiple individuals.

Here’s a list of things that your home/vehicle emergency kit should include:

The EssentialsAdditional Items
– Ready to eat food– Water Purifications Tablets
– Manual Can Opener– Tarp
– Water (2L per person per day –
pregnant and elderly need more)		– Hand Warmers
– Flashlight and batteries– Compass
– AM/FM Radio– Poncho
– Medications / copies of prescriptions– Emergency Light Sticks
– Blanket– Duct Tape
– Cell phone charger– Surgical Masks
– Pen and notepad– Multi Function Knife
– Personal toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste,– Shovel
– Extra pair of glasses or contacts– Emergency shelter
– Small first-aid kit– Waterproof Matches
– Cash in small bills– Leather Gloves
– Local map with your family meeting place identified– Crank/Solar power flashlight
– Whistle– Nylon Rope
– Seasonal clothing– Toilet Paper
– Tampons
– Playing cards
– Colouring Sheets + Crayons
List of Items for a Emergency Home Kit

You can never predict an emergency. By being proactive and keeping an emergency survival kit in our homes and vehicles, we can ensure that we are prepared should an emergency arise. 

We are here for you. Our team of insurance experts can answer any questions you have about how emergencies affect your insurance coverage. Connect with us today with any questions or concerns. Let’s ensure your insurance will have you covered. Call 1-866-554-3456 or message us for more information.

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