Emergency Planning – Seasonal Readiness

Updated November 28, 2022

Emergency Preparedness

When a community member needs assistance or an emergency takes place, the Sooke Fire Department, Sooke R.C.M.P. and Emergency Program are ready to assist. Through the District’s emergency program, we have an excellent team of professional and volunteer emergency responders. However, when a disaster strikes, it takes time to mobilize Community, Regional, Provincial and Federal services that may be needed to respond to the community, so it’s important households are prepared.

• A Guide to Emergency Preparedness in the Capital Region (PDF)

Emergency Services, through the Emergency Operations Centre, are activated during events to assess and assist the public; however, it is critical that individual households, residential building managers, Senior Centre’s and others prepare their own premises to handle their needs for a minimum of 7 days.

Before an event: be prepared, not scared

These valuable preparedness resources can be downloaded or picked up at the Sooke Fire Department, learn more:

• Prepare Yourself: The Guide for Emergency Preparedness in the Capital Region
• Emergency Management BC (EMBC): Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery in BC
• PreparedBC: British Columbia’s one-stop-shop for disaster readiness information – prepare and download helpful guides
• Get FireSmart (your home and property) and gather valuable preparedness resources for individuals, families, pets and businesses.

Emergency Contacts:

• For an Emergency with respect to fire or life safety, please call 911
• Sooke Fire Department: 250.642.5422
• Sooke RCMP Detachment – non-emergency: 250.642.5241
• Air or Marine Emergency: 1.800.567.5111
• Provincial Emergency Program: 1.800.885.6655 (Earthquake, Flood, Tsunami, Dangerous Goods Spilled, Coastal Watch – suspected illegal activities at sea).
• Poison Control Centre: 250.595.9211
• Victoria General Hospital: 250.727.4212, #1 Hospital Way, Victoria, BC, V8Z 6R5

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Have questions?

Sooke Emergency Program Volunteers are available with emergency preparedness information, and to answer questions and provide resources. Contact Sooke Fire to learn more.

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Emergency Shelters/Warming Centres in Sooke

• The Emergency Weather Response (EWR) Shelter in Sooke is at the CRD Building on Butler.
• Activation of EWR is made by the Sooke Shelter Society at 11am each day pending weather and staffing with notice posted on their Facebook page. When activated, transportation is arranged:
  • to leave The Hope Centre at 7pm
  • to return persons from the CRD building to the Sooke town core at 7am.
• Public spaces such as the library and SEAPARC serve as warming areas. We do not have a specific warming centre.
• Persons looking to contribute to local causes supporting those less fortunate may wish to do so through:
  • Sooke Fire Fighters Charitable Giving Campaign
  • Sooke Shelter Society:
    • Amazon Shopping List for in-kind donations
    • Online monetary donations

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Get Ready for Flooding and Storm Surges

Flooding and storm surges in our region bring high water and waves. When combined with high tides (especially King Tides) these conditions can create storm surges which can cause flooding and coastal erosion. As the sea level is expected to rise over the next century, it is expected that storm surges will flood areas not previously impacted, affecting near-shore development. Properties in flood inundation zones (near rivers and ocean shorelines) in Sooke are the highly susceptible. Homes can also be affected by surface and overland water runoff. Prepare for potential flooding and marine impacts proactively.

• Source sandbags in advance from the community sandbag station
• Help keep drains and catch basins clear
• Do not drive through deep, standing water and avoid fast-moving water
• Refresh your grab & go bag and your shelter in place kit
• Review and practice your family emergency plan

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Prepare for the Impacts of Severe Weather

Severe weather can develop quickly and include events such as blizzards, hail, heavy rain, ice storms, thunderstorms, storm surges and high winds. Severe weather events are expected to increase in our region over the next fifty years due to a changing climate. These events can cause power outages, so it makes sense to get prepared.

• Have flashlights and batteries ready to go
• Stock up on ready to eat food and water
• Refresh your grab & go bag and your shelter in place kit
• Review and practice your family emergency plan
• Check the BC Hydro Outage list (bchydro.com) for updates

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Sandbag Station

The community sandbag station is located in the parking lot beside Ed McGregor Park at 6751 West Coast Road. The station is self-serve, open 24 hours a day – seven days a week, and sand and bags are provided by the District and Emergency Management British Columbia. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels to fill the bags and are encouraged to take only enough to meet their needs so that supplies are available for others.

Printable resources – comprehensive emergency preparedness guide & flood preparedness guide

        

Printable tips and resources for residents and outside workers to prepare and stay cool during extreme heat:

             

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Wildfire Preparedness – FireSmart your Property

Printable tips and resources for wildfire preparedness and creating a FireSmart property:

                

FireSmarting your property will dramatically decrease the risk of wildfire burning down your home. The best part is, it’s surprisingly easy to do. Check out the list of top 10 ways to FireSmart your home:

Printable Tip sheet:

1. Move firewood 10–30 metres from your home
2. Clean your roof and gutters of leaves & pine needles
3. Have a wildfire evacuation plan with your household
4. Keep grass cut to less than 10 cm
5. Trim and prune any trees or vegetation that overhang your roof
6. Take inventory of what kind of trees grow on your property. (Some trees are more flammable, such as Pine. Other trees are more resistant to fires, such as birch and aspen.)
7. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the gas, electric, and water mains shut-off are!
8. Assess your roof and chimney. Is your roof clean? Do you have a spark arrestor? Having a clean, protected roof can significantly improve the chances of the entire structure surviving.
9. Relocate propane tanks 10-30 meters from your home
10. Conduct a full FireSmart assessment of your home and property. Download the FireSmart Homeowner’s Manual to assess and FireSmart your home.

Take the FREE online FireSmart 101 Course presented by FireSmart BC.

Gutter Mount Sprinkler System

The WASP Patented Gutter Mount Sprinkler System gets water to the home’s roof and surrounding areas, where it’s needed most during wildfire emergencies. Homeowners can now purchase the gutter mount sprinkler system, which had previously only been available to the firefighting community. The District of Sooke Fire Department makes kits available to local residents. Purchase at the Sooke Fire Hall at 2225 Otter Point Road or the Sooke Municipal Hall at 2205 Otter Point Road.

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Public Alert Notification System (PANS)

During an emergency or significant event, it is important to seek local information. Threats and subsequent actions can differ according to a geographic location – even within the Greater Victoria region. The District of Sooke has partnered with the CRD on their Public Alert Notification System (PANS). Sooke residents are encouraged to register to receive Sooke-specific emergency-related public alert notifications by phone, text, or email. SIGN UP HERE >>

Please note: As required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) any alerts sent via Alert Ready (the Wireless Public Alerting System provided by the Provincial and Federal Government) will take precedence over any notifications you receive via the Public Alert Notification System. Read more >>

Stay informed with Alertable notifications

Use Alertable to stay aware, plan ahead and save time. Check for closures, restrictions and hazards in advance. Know before you go. Keep yourself and others informed and up to date with Alertable.

Download the FREE Alertable app for iOS and Android smartphones. Install the FREE Alertable skill and action for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant home devices. Sign up for FREE email and SMS notifications or phone calls. Follow Alertable on Facebook and Twitter. Connect with Alertable directly on Facebook Messenger. Get desktop and browser notifications from Alertable.ca. Install the FREE Alertable add-on for Slack and Microsoft Teams (coming soon). Choose any combination that’s right for you.

Notifications are fast, reliable and easy to see and hear. Personalize notifications by type and severity. Choose notifications for more than one location such as home, office, cottage, family and friends and more. Please SHARE!

LEARN MORE & FIND FAQS HERE >>

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Build a household emergency kit and grab-and-go bag

Following a disaster, you may need to stay at home with your emergency kit or leave immediately with your grab-and-go bags. Gather and organize your emergency supplies now so you’re ready when disaster strikes.

Building your emergency kit or grab-and-go bag doesn’t need to be expensive or take a lot of time. Follow the basic supply lists below. Just remember to consider the unique needs of your household, such as including items for pets (PDF) or seniors.

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Power Outages

Safety first! Never go near or touch a fallen power line. Always assume that a line or anything it is in contact with, is energized. Stay at least 10 metres (33 feet) away at all times and do not attempt to remove debris surrounding the line. If you see a fallen power line, report the exact location to 1.888.POWERON (1.888.769.3766).

PREPARING FOR AN OUTAGE

• Have an emergency plan, your grab & go bag and your shelter-in-place kit ready.
• Choose manual equipment like basic can openers, non-electric phones, battery, wind-up or solar-powered radios, and a handsaw for your emergency kit.
• Have safe, stable sources of light, such as flashlights, in your emergency kits.
• People who rely on life-sustaining equipment should contact their local health provider and consider purchasing or arranging to rent a small generator on a priority basis.
• Stock up on fuel for barbecues and camp stoves. Store appliances and fuel safely and use outdoors only.
•  If you have an electric garage door opener, learn how to open the garage door manually. Follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

DURING AN OUTAGE

• Check whether the power failure is limited to your home. If your neighbour’s power is still on, check your circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
• Call BC Hydro at 1.888.POWERON (1.888.769.3766) or *HYDRO (*49376) on your cell phone. Tell them about the outage so they can send the right crews and equipment to the correct location.
• Tune in to your local radio station for storm and power outage updates.
• Turn off all appliances, including home computers and peripherals, especially those that generate heat. This helps prevent hazards or damage when service is restored. Use surge protectors to protect sensitive electrical equipment such as computers and TVs.
• Turn off all lights except for one inside your home and one outside. The inside light lets you know, and the outside light lets BC Hydro crews know when the power is back on.

Portable Generator Safety Precautions

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas in the engine exhaust of a generator and BBQs. You may not smell the exhaust but could still be exposed to CO, so never use them indoors

• Never use a portable generator indoors, including inside a garage or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Only operate portable generators outdoors and at a location where the exhaust cannot enter your home or other buildings through doors or windows.
• If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, get a headache or feel tired while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention.
• Install a CO alarm in your home.
• Never plug a portable generator into a regular household electrical outlet as it can cause fire and back-feeding to the BC Hydro electrical grid and cause electrocution to utility workers, your neighbours and your household.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated, CSA-approved 3-pronged extension cord in good condition.
• Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) portable extension cord if using the portable generator to power electrical tools for outdoor use.
• Keep the generator dry and protected with a tarp when using in rain and snow.
• Learn how to use your generator before you need it. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended usage.

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District of Sooke Emergency Plan

Emergencies can be defined as situations caused by the forces of nature, an accident, or an intentional act that constitutes a danger of major proportions to life or property. Whenever an emergency occurs, which affects the lives and property of citizens,  the initial and prime responsibility for providing immediate assistance rests with the local municipal government. The District of Sooke emergency plan is designed to ensure the coordination of municipal,  private and volunteer services during an emergency, to bring the situation under control as quickly as possible.

In order to protect residents, businesses and visitors, the District of Sooke require a coordinated emergency response by a number of agencies. The District of Sooke has prepared an emergency response and business continuity plan, which contains distinct arrangements and procedures that are different from the normal day-to-day operations, to ensure that every official, municipal department and partner agency will be prepared to carry out assigned responsibilities in an emergency.

All municipal officials of the District of Sooke, whether elected or appointed, must be fully conversant with the contents of this emergency plan and be prepared at all times to carry out the duties and responsibilities allotted to them. In addition, it is important that residents, businesses and interested visitors be aware of its provisions.

• Emergency Response and Business Continuity Plan 2013
• Emergency Operations Centre Manual 2013
• Emergency Program Bylaw

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Hazards The May Require Strategic Evacuation

Following a review of the Sooke Community Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA), the District determined that the hazards most likely to require a strategic evacuation include the following, in alphabetical order:

• Dam Breach – The CRD-controlled structures at the Sooke Reservoir face the risk of breach under some extreme circumstances. The potential impact zone is well defined along the Sooke River drainage, as described in the CRD emergency plan.
• Flooding – Sooke River water flows are controlled by CRD at the reservoir. Heavy rainfall occasionally leads to isolated minor flooding in the Sooke River basin, from tide level north to about De Mamiel Creek. The CRD is responsible for issuing warnings about Sooke River flood conditions.
• Hazardous Material Release – Risk areas for the release of hazardous materials include Seaparc Leisure Complex, where ammonia is stored in tanks for the ice arena. Highway 14 is used for the transportation of dangerous goods to western communities. Toxic smoke from large structural fires present similar risks.
• Police Actions – Some security and public safety responses by RCMP may require a large-area evacuation over a long period. Some bomb threats or active shooter incidents fall into this category.
• Storm Surge – Coastal areas are subject to storm surge conditions that, combined with high tides, could lead to localized shoreline flooding, and impacts to docks and marinas.
• Tsunami – Properties within 4 metres elevation above the normal highest tide along the marine shoreline are subject to tsunami
• This risk area includes several residences, as well as docks and marinas.
• Wildfire – Several neighbourhoods are classed as interface or intermix zones, subject to wildfire threats, including Erinan, north of Sunriver Estate, Milnes Landing and north along Sooke River Rd., Saseenos, and the eastern border near Gillespie Rd, Connie Rd., and Glinz Lake Rd.

Note: evacuation guidelines and preparation provide the flexibility needed to adapt to these and other situations.

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Top 10 Steps to Prepare Your Business for Evacuation

Presented by BC Economic Development Association

If you are on evacuation alert or think you will be put on evacuation alert, there are some important steps you will want to consider. If you have an evacuation plan, review the plan and start the implementation process. If you do not have an evacuation plan, here are 10 things to consider:

1. Protect your information – back up electronic files using a USB stick, emailing them to yourself, backing up to an online ‘cloud’ and grabbing your laptop, external hard drive, or computer tower if needed.
2. Pack insurance and registration information for all commercial vehicles in your evacuation kit.
3. Preparing for an Insurance Claim – take pictures and/or a video of your business pointing out key equipment. Don’t forget to take a copy of your insurance documents with you.
4. Remove any uncertainty as to what staff should do in an emergency. Assign tasks to help staff respond as quickly as possible. Make sure you have their contact information and out of area contacts.
5. Turn off utilities – electrical and water, and remove any fire hazards that may be near the building. If you are evacuated, leave your gas service on. If fire or emergency officials request FortisBC to do so, we will turn off the utility service as a precautionary measure, or if there is an immediate threat to FortisBC infrastructure.
6. Empty cash from your cash register and seal in an envelope. Sign the envelope, the cash amount and the date across the seam. If you go to use any of this cash in your evacuation efforts, be sure to track how much of it you spend and if it is a business-related expense.
7. Make sure you have a list of links to emergency information. A list is provided at the end of this document.
8. Create a list of emergency phone numbers and key contacts, be sure you have access to this list if you are evacuated.
9. If there is an environmental threat 50 km or further from your place of business, you may still be eligible to register for business interruption insurance.
10. Contact suppliers about a potential delivery disruption (if applicable) and/or contact customers about a potential disruption in services (if applicable).

Learn more:

• Additional BCEDA resources
• Emergency Management BC Resources