“Be ready for anything.”
That’s the theme of this year’s Emergency Preparedness Week, slated to be celebrated from May 1 to 8. It’s an opportunity to take action to ensure everyone in the community is prepared to protect themselves, their families and community during an emergency.
Emergency Management Oceanside is encouraging everyone to consider their family and work situation preparing for anything which could change or disrupt your normal day. They should know the risks, make a plan and get an emergency kit.
The EMO cited as an example the recent power outage on April 19 in the Mid-Island region. It was a perfect reminder, the EMO said, that everyone needs to be prepared for any unexpected emergencies. The not so seasonal, unusual snowstorm caused outages to power, cellular, internet and social media. All this meant EMO had no reliable way to get messaging to you and to see where support may have been needed.
READ MORE: Tsunami advisory an important reminder for B.C. coastal communities to be prepared
EMO is continuously working to improve plans to support residents and businesses for any emergency or disaster. It is collaborating with the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach to improve business continuity plans to ensure Parksville Qualicum Beach residents will have reliable, essential service in an emergency.
Through a provincial grant, EMO has purchased new technology to make its emergency support services program more efficient and provide displaced residents the help they need faster.
For more information, visit the EMO website, which includes:
• Get Prepared has great info about floods, power outages, severe storms, earthquakes
• Emergency preparedness guide for people with disabilities/special needs
• Emergency kits and supplies
• Being prepared at home, work, school, in your vehicle
• Business and employer preparedness
• Travel preparedness
• Protecting your pets
• Tsunami preparedness
— NEWS Staff