Emergency Planning and Preparedness

Emergencies can affect anyone, at any time. Whether it’s a power outage, storm, wildfire, or earthquake, our strength as a community lies in how we prepare, support one another, and respond—together.

In Sooke, emergency preparedness is a shared effort. The District works closely with residents, volunteers, local organizations, the T’Sou-ke Nation, the Capital Regional District (CRD), and the Province of British Columbia to plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility - and everyone can play a part. By taking small steps at home and staying connected as neighbours, we build a stronger, safer community - one that looks out for one another when it matters most.

The District leads and coordinates emergency planning, training, and response, including:

• Coordinating community response through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
• Supporting evacuees and families through Emergency Support Services (ESS).
• Sharing verified information through Alertable and other official channels.
• Working with residents to reduce risk through FireSmart programs, stormwater maintenance, and seasonal readiness campaigns.
• Learning and improving through regular training, exercises, and after-action reviews.

Residents play an equally important role by:

• Making a household plan and knowing how to connect during an emergency.
• Building a 72-hour emergency kit with food, water, and essentials.
• Signing up for Alertable for local, real-time notifications.
• Knowing local risks such as heat, cold, wind, flooding, and wildfire.
• Checking on neighbours, especially seniors, families, and those who may need extra support.

Each action, big or small, adds up.

Together, these efforts create a Sooke that is ready, resilient, and connected, where preparedness is woven into everyday life and where caring for one another is our strongest defense in any emergency.