Being prepared isn’t just about having the right supplies. It’s about working together, individuals, organizations, and governments, so we can all respond and recover better.
Emergency Preparedness Week, taking place May 4 to 10, is a national awareness campaign that encourages Canadians to take simple steps to become better prepared for emergencies. This year’s theme, “In it together,” emphasizes the importance of connection, cooperation, and collective readiness.
Preparedness doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are five simple actions you can take to get ready:
- Take action today. Emergencies can happen at any time. Even small step can make sure we are better prepared to respond as a community.
- Get to know others in your community. When disaster strikes, the most immediate help will come from those around you, your neighbours. Connecting and building relationships with them today will mean a better response and faster recovery.
- Know the hazards in your community: Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare. Golden’s top hazards include flooding, wildfire, transportation of hazardous materials (road/rail) and hazardous materials events.
- Gather your supplies: When an emergency happens, you may need to stay at home with an emergency kit or leave immediately with your grab-and-go bags. Add items based on your specific needs, and don’t forget to include items for your pets. Learn how to build an emergency kit and a grab-and-go bag at www.PreparedBC.ca/emergencykit
- Make your home emergency plan: An emergency plan says how you and the people you live with will respond during an emergency. Having a home emergency plan will help you stay calm, connected, focused, and safe during an emergency.
During an emergency, it is important to stay informed and get your information from official sources.
“Reliable information is vital during an emergency,” said Kyle Hale, Golden and Area Emergency Program Coordinator. “We encourage residents to stay aware and plan ahead by signing up for Alertable mass notification system. This system improves our ability to get critical and timely information to residents of Golden and Area A during an emergency.”
Sign up today at www.csrd.bc.ca/alertable to receive emergency alerts by mobile app, email, or voice call.
Residents should be ready to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. This ensures that emergency services can focus on the most vulnerable.
“That means having enough food and water to get by without power or tap water, medication if needed and a plan that allows the whole family – including pets – to get to safety if instructed to do so by emergency responders,” said Hale.
Upcoming events:
- Attend the Living with Wildfire Mini-Conference on May 13 at the Golden Civic Centre between 12:30 and 7 p.m. with field site visits from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m., an open house to learn more about FireSmart and Wildfire Risk Reduction from 3 – 6 p.m. and a speakers panel at 7 p.m..
- Meet local first responders and learn more about emergency preparedness at the Golden Farmers’ Market on May 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spirit Square.
About the Golden and Area A Emergency Management Program
The Town of Golden works under a joint emergency program between the Town and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and supports emergencies within the community of Golden and Area a. The program is active year-round and incorporates training scenarios and preparedness exercises to respond to emergencies.
For more information, checklists and even a printable family emergency kit that you can create online visit www.preparedbc.ca.
For more information on our local Emergency Management Program and emergency preparedness, visit www.golden.ca/emergencyprogram or contact Kyle.hale@goldeneoc.ca.