Friday, May 5, 2023 – Natural disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face – whether natural or human-induced.
Emergency Preparedness Week (May 7-13, 2023) encourages Canadians to take concrete actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and their families during emergencies. This special week is a national effort of provincial and territorial emergency management organizations and Public Safety Canada.
Everyone has a role to play in an emergency. Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity for you to take action to ensure you are prepared to protect yourself, your family and your community during an emergency. This year, the theme is Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for Anything. The intent of this theme is to encourage Canadians to take action to become better prepared for the range of emergencies they could face in their region.
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 – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare.
- Make a Plan – It will help you and your family know what to do
- Get an Emergency Kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.
Deputy Chief Wayne Kennedy shares this local advice:
“The District has a remarkable team of professional and volunteer emergency responders, however, in larger events such as lengthy power interruptions due to storm activity, it’s important households are prepared as well. It takes our combined efforts as a community collective to navigate emergencies.
Mobilizing resources may take time, so having an emergency kit to support needs for several days is critical. If you already have a kit, Emergency Preparedness Week is a good time to check your supplies.
When you are looking to stay informed, seek reliable information sources such as the District’s public notification system and the website. As new information for residents is available, it will be shared through these channels first. ”
Visit Sooke FireSmart at John Phillips Memorial Park on Saturday, May 6th to learn more local wildfire preparedness.
Book a free FireSmart Home Assessment for a chance to WIN a Wildfire Automated Sprinkler Protection (WASP) Kit. More about the event is available here >>
Learn more:
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK WEBINAR: If you’re ready for earthquakes, you’re ready for anything! (sooke.ca)
- prepareyourself.ca
- FireSmart BC
- District of Sooke Emergency Planning Information page
- Alterable – District of Sooke Emergency Community Notification System (Opt-in)