Each “Moment” briefly cover a topic related to preparedness. They are in no particular order. Each takes approximately one minute to read. Apply them as appropriate in your situation. Remember that preparedness is a marathon, not a sprint. Relax, take your time, and prepare methodically and properly. I will continue to add to this page.
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EP Moment 1. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. While we can’t prevent disasters from happening, there are simple steps that we can take to prepare in order to stay safe and minimise a disaster’s effect. Planning ahead is the first step to a calmer, safer response. A disaster plan accomplishes this. Think of the types of disasters that might happen where you live — a fire, flood, earthquake, severe summer or winter storm, power outage. Discuss with family or neighbours and plan to work together as a team. It’s a great way to connect, and increases the level of safety, security, and strength – all which will be necessary in the hours and days following a disaster. For more information, go to the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 2. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. A key step to preparedness is a family disaster plan. When making the plan, be sure to include an out-or-area contact that you can call after the disaster. This is someone outside the area or even the province who is unlikely to be affected by the disaster. It may be easier to make this call, because local lines may be overloaded or out of service. Another option is texting, tweeting, or other social media. What’s important is that this contact knows where you are, who is with you, and if you are ok. Other family members will do the same. You will know your family’s status by making only one call or text. If you can’t get through, don’t panic. Keep trying. For more information, go to the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 3. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. In your family disaster plan, be sure to include two meeting places. One should be outside your home, apartment, or condo – in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire. Your second meeting place should be outside of your neighbourhood, in case you can’t return home or asked to evacuate the area due to an incident. Out-of-neighbourhood meeting places might include a family member or friend’s house or a community center. Be sure the entire family knows where the meeting places are and practice this drill twice a year. It is wise for everyone to carry these addresses an Emergency Contact wallet card. For more information, go to the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 4. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. A disaster can force you to live without electricity, gas, water, and phone service. This is why we need to prepare ourselves by assembling a family disaster supplies kit. In an emergency, your own supplies are important because emergency workers can’t help everyone immediately. The kit must be made ahead of time, because you will not have time to search for supplies, and the stores very likely will be closed. Keep your essential supplies in an easy-to-carry container in a convenient place. The items in your kit should take care of you and your loved ones for a minimum of three days, or better yet, seven days. I will discuss what should be in every emergency kit in another ‘Emergency Preparedness Minute’. You also may go to the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 5. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. A family disaster supplies kit is essential for preparedness. It should last a minimum of three days, or better yet, seven days. Consider including the following:
- Water, purification tablets – one gallon, per person, per day
- Non-perishable food, that require no refrigeration or preparation. Most canned foods do not require cooking, but don’t forget a can opener and utensils. Choose food that requires little or no water, such as dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers, and energy bars.
Other items in your kit:
- A flashlight and extra batteries.
- A radio, battery or crank operated
- Medications…both prescription and non-prescription
- Extra clothing, including boots and gloves
- A first-aid kit
- Blankets
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies
- Some cash money
Include anything else you think your family might need, such as books or board games to play in case the electricity is out for several days. Make sure you plan for the needs of pets, infants, and the elderly. For more information, go to the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 6. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. What are some simple things you can do to prepare your pet or service animal for an emergency? Think about a Pet Disaster Kit sufficient for several days: water, dry or canned pet food, treats. For sanitation, paper towels, soap, disinfectant, plastic bags for waste. For your pet’s safety and comfort, include an extra collar and leash, cage or carrier, grooming supplies, blanket, a favourite chew or toy. Keep this kit in an easy to access place. Make a plan to evacuate you pet. Know your pet’s hiding places. Develop a buddy system with neighbours to mutually help in an evacuation. If you evacuate, try your best to bring your pet with you. If you can’t, leave out food and plenty of water. Keep papers current: vaccination records, photos, even consider printing up ‘lost posters’ to help identify your animal. You might consider a vet implanting a microchip or a tattoo for easy ID. This information is general, and of course varies, depending on your animal companion. For more information, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 7. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Earthquakes are the movement of the earth’s crust. This occurs frequently and naturally, usually unnoticed, but large movements can cause great havoc. Since Vancouver Island is in an earthquake zone, we must prepare and be trained. During a quake, if you are in a building, stay inside. Do not immediately run out, as debris may be falling from the exterior walls. Duck, cover, and hold. Duck under a heavy desk or table, cover you head and torso, and hold onto the furniture. If you can’t get under something strong, go next to an interior wall and sit with your bottom and feet flat on the floor, and protect your head. Stay away from windows. If you are outside, go to an open area. Stay away from buildings or any structure that could collapse, as well as power lines and dangling wires. If you are in a car, stop somewhere clear of overpasses, bridges, and power lines. Stay inside your vehicle. For additional information, go to the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 8. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. After a disaster, expect a chaotic scene. Preparedness helps us remain calm and useful. There may be injuries to treat, gas, water, and electricity to cut off, small fires to put out, debris to clean. Think of how can you prepare now to assist in this immediate aftermath? Get training in First Aid, the use of a fire extinguisher, and know where to and how to cut off all utilities where you live. Have a well-stocked 1st aid kit, at least an ABC fire extinguisher, a wrench, work gloves, and heavy-duty shoes. The radio in your emergency kit will link you to emergency instructions and local news. Think practically, such as hanging up phone receivers that are off the hook. And minimize your use of phones, since emergency crews will need all available lines. For more information and preparedness tips, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 9. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Having a Family Disaster Plan is more than just collecting emergency supplies. It also involves action after the disaster. Every family member should have specific tasks to do in an emergency. For example, designate one person to be in charge of cutting off electricity or water, one to collect the emergency kit, one to look after any pets, and one to make contact with any family members. Review the family disaster plan every six months. Getting all family members involved will teach responsibility and contributing to the family will instil a sense of purpose. For additional information on this and other emergency preparedness topics, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 10. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. In preparation for an emergency, it is critical that you assemble important documents. These might include insurance papers, will, medical records, credit card numbers, identification papers, inventory of possessions, etc. Having a picture inventory of your home, interior and exterior, is helpful. Make both hard and electronic copies of all documents. Store originals in a lockbox or a fireproof safe in waterproof containers that will be accessible if your home is damaged. For additional information on this and other emergency preparedness tips, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at 250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 11. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Today we hear regularly about tsunamis, a Japanese word meaning “harbour wave”. They are generated by earthquakes in which tectonic plates on the ocean floor push upward and cause ocean water movement. The waves can travel at the speed of a passenger jet, are hardly noticeable at sea, but increase in height near the shoreline and in river and coastal channels. A typical wave height for Pacific tsunamis is between 6 and 9 meters at the shoreline. Prepare for a tsunami by knowing if your home or workplace is at risk. If you live or frequent a tsunami-prone zone, know the local evacuation routes to higher ground. In BC, there is a Tsunami Warning and Alerting Plan, but check with your local emergency coordinator to know the warning system in your area. For additional information and to view the BC coastal risk map, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 12. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Ninety percent of all natural disasters involve flooding from some source. British Columbia is particularly susceptible to snow melt that causes spring flooding. Compacted snow can melt into millions of liters of water, resulting in the overflowing streams, rivers, and lakes. Add spring rains and the result is often serious spring flooding. Prepare for flooding no matter where you live, but particularly if you are in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even a very small stream or dry creek bed can overflow and create flooding. Be informed about your flood risk. Consider taking out flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone location. For additional information on flood preparation and to view the BC flood risk maps for your area, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 13. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. All Canadians, regardless of where we live, face some type of severe winter weather at some point in our lives. This could mean snow and subfreezing temperatures, strong winds, ice, or freezing rain storms. A primary concern is the ability for winter weather to knock out heat, power, and communications, sometimes for days. Most deaths are related indirectly to winter storms. People die in traffic accidents on icy roads and from hypothermia after prolonged exposure to the cold. Most severe winter weather situations result in “sheltering-in-place” until the emergency passes. Therefore, it is important prepare our residences for winter storms before they strike. As with all hazards, remember the three steps: 1) have an emergency kit; 2) make a family plan; and 3) stay informed. For additional information on winter weather and other hazard preparation, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca or you may call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 14. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Despite high-profile hazards such as an earthquake or tsunami, the majority of hazards for which you should prepare are more commonplace. Fires are one of the most common. When a fire occurs, do not waste time gathering valuables or making a phone call. Fires spread quickly, become life threatening in two minutes and can engulf a residence in as little as five minutes. While flames are dangerous, heat and smoke can be more dangerous and can sear your lungs. As a fire burns, poisonous gases are emitted that can cause you to become disoriented or drowsy. The leading cause of fire-related deaths is not from burns but from asphyxiation. Installing and maintaining smoke alarms is vital. Remember the three steps: 1) have a grap-and-go emergency kit; 2) make a family plan; and 3) stay informed. Learn about fires in order to protect your family. For additional information on fire preparation, contact your local fire department, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca, or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 15. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Almost annually, we hear news reports of wildfires in western Canada, sometimes destroying millions of hectares of land and some homes. If you live or vacation where there is an abundance of forest and other vegetation, you may be vulnerable to wildfires. Lessen the wildfire hazard by creating a 100 foot safety zone around your property — remove flammable debris and limbs, landscape with fire-retardant tree and bush varieties, cut the grass regularly, and store firewood outside this zone. Consider fire-retardant construction materials for your roof and exterior walls, and have some fire tools handy — ax, rake, shovel, buckets, long water hose, chain saw, etc. Always follow the instructions from local or provincial authorities with an approaching wildfire. Remember the three steps: 1) have an emergency kit; 2) make a emergency plan; and 3) stay informed. For additional information on wildfire preparation, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca, or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 16. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. If you have school-aged children, check the school’s website or call the office and request a copy of the school’s emergency plan. If they don’t have one, emphasize the importance of this. Keep a hard copy at home, work, car, and other places you frequent. Make sure the school’s plan is incorporated into your family’s emergency plan. A school emergency may result in either a ‘shelter-in-place’ scenario or an evacuation. Arrange an alternative home within walking distance to the school where your children might go, with details on how to contact you. The traffic around a school immediately following an emergency or disaster very likely will be chaotic. Planning ahead to you know where your children are and that they are safe is most reassuring. For additional information on school preparedness and your family, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca, or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 17. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace? Many companies have been alert and pro-active in preparing for disasters in recent years, but too many employees still don’t know what their workplace disaster plan is or if there is one. If you don’t know yours, make a point to ask. If there’s not one, encourage developing a plan that covers many hazards. Organize an emergency preparedness committee with other interested co-workers, and commit to meet monthly. Put together an office emergency kit, and tell everyone where it is located. Identify multiple ways to exit your building and participate in evacuation drills. Store some emergency supplies at your desk. Keep personal contact information in your desk, purse, or wallet. For additional information on workplace preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca, or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 18. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. When a disaster occurs, two basic actions will follow — either sheltering within the home or evacuation. For evacuating, build an emergency supply kit that can be carried. The basics to stock in your portable kit should include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight, extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, and a manual can opener for canned food. You should include other items, depending on your family situation, such as medications, and items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members. Keep these items in an easy-to-carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack, or a duffle bag. For additional information on family preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 19. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. When a disaster occurs, two basic actions will follow — either sheltering within the home, or evacuation. Your shelter-at-home supplies can be heavier than items in a ‘Grab-and-Go’ bag. You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days, and preferably seven days.
Discuss with your family and make a list of some foods that:
• Have a long shelf-life and won’t spoil, such as canned or dried foods.
• Foods that you and your family like, and are nutritious.
• Foods that do not require cooking.
• Foods that can be easily stored.
Remember that you can use items from your Grab-and-go kit when you shelter in place. Preparing these items needn’t be expensive if you think ahead. Pick up a few items each time you’re shopping or you find on sale until you have a well-stocked supply to sustain your family for several days during an emergency. For additional information on family preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 20. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. The single most important item to have available during an emergency is drinking water. Prepare for a three-to-seven day supply of water per person during an emergency. Plan for one gallon of water per person per day – two liters for drinking and two liters for food preparation and sanitation. Hot environments and strenuous activity can double the need to two gallons per day. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick also require more. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles and rotate untreated water every six months. Do not use containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. Some ways of purifying water include boiling, chlorine tablets, or household bleach. I will discuss these in another EP Moment. For more information on potable water preparation, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 21. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. After a disaster, water from questionable sources may be contaminated by microorganisms, such as bacteria and parasites that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, and typhoid. Try to use bottled water for drinking and cooking. But when it’s not available, you will need to treat contaminated water. The basic treatments are:
- Filtering: Filter the water using a piece of cloth or coffee filter. This will only remove solid particles, not micro-organisms.
- Boiling: Bring water to a rolling boil for about one full minute, and allow it to cool.
- Chlorinating: Add 1/8 teaspoon, or about 16 drops of household chlorine bleach per gallon. Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. The active ingredient in bleach is sodium hypochlorite, about 5.25% to 6%. Don’t use bleach that contains soap or fragrances.
If the water smells of chlorine, you can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, repeat the process — add another 1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon, let stand 30 minutes, and smell it again. If it now has a chlorine smell, use it. If it does not, discard it and find another water source. Flood water can also be contaminated by toxic chemicals. Also, do NOT try to treat flood water. For additional information, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 22. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Teach your children how to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. Review basic emergency action steps with all family members:
- Check the scene for your personal safety.
- Check the victim. Remain calm.
- Call 9-1-1 or a local emergency number, which should be posted by the telephone.
- Care for the victim until assistance arrives.
For additional information on steps to family emergency preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 23. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. In some emergencies and disasters, utility lines may rupture and pose a secondary hazard, such as fire or flooding. You may have to turn off your utilities in your home or complex. To prepare for this possibility,
- Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
- Understand how the shut-off mechanism works, such as for natural gas.
- Keep any necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
- Teach other adult family members or older children how to turn off the utilities.
Note that if you turn off the gas valve, a professional will have to turn it back on. For additional information on this and general family preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 24. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Floods are the most frequent and costly natural disasters in North America. Up to 90 percent of the damage related to all natural disasters is caused by floods or the debris flow from it. Most communities in our country can experience some kind of flooding. Melting snow can combine with rain in the winter and early spring. Severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rain in the spring or summer; or hurricanes can bring intense rainfall to the coast and interior in the summer and fall.
Regardless of how a flood occurs, the rule for safety is simple: head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater. Even a shallow fast-moving floodwater produces more force than most people imagine. Know the flood hazard to which you are most susceptible. What can you do to prevent it? If not, what can you do to minimize its impact? Protect yourself by being prepared and having time to act. Local radio or television stations (and NOAA Weather Radio) are the best news sources in a flood. For more information, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 25. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Fires are all too common in home and workplace. If there is a fire: Exit the building immediately. If there is smoke, crawl under the smoke to the nearest exit and if possible, use a cloth to cover your nose and mouth. If you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the upper, lower, and middle parts of the door. If the door is not hot, brace yourself and open it slowly. If the door is hot, do not open it. Look for another way out. Do not use elevators. If your clothes catch on fire, stop-drop-and-roll to put it out. Do not run. If you are at home, go to your designated outside meeting place and account for all family members. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. The cardinal rule is: GET OUT and STAY OUT. Never go back into a burning building. For additional information, contact your local fire department, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 26. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. This tip is helpful no matter what type of event occurs. In the event of an emergency or an accident, response personnel may search for your cell phone to look for ‘ICE’: a contact “In Case of Emergency”. This can save time in the attempt to retrieve lifesaving information (allergies, medication info, etc.).
How do you plan for this? Edit your cell phone contact list by typing the word ‘ICE’ followed by the name (ICE – Jerry) and phone number of the person to call in case of an emergency. You can enter multiple entries, (ICE 1 – Jerry, ICE 2 – Bill). Make sure your emergency contacts know that you’ve listed them. Do this for all members of your family and tell your friends about the importance of ICE. For additional tips on emergency preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 27. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. When there is potential exposure to a chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials may advise you to “shelter-in-place” and “seal the room.” This is different from taking shelter on the lowest level of your home, for instance in case of a tornado. If you believe an airborne bio-hazard has occurred, do the following to create a temporary barrier between you and the contaminated air outside:
- Close and lock all windows and exterior doors in your home or building.
- Turn off fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
- Close the fireplace damper.
- Get your disaster supplies kit and turn on your battery-powered radio.
- Go to an interior room; one that is above ground level and without windows, if possible. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferred because some chemicals are heavier than air and will seep into the lowest rooms.
- Listen to your radio or television for further instructions. If directed by authorities, use duct tape from your kit to seal all cracks around doors and vents in the room. Tape plastic sheeting, such as plastic garbage bags, over any windows.
Local officials will tell you when you can leave your safe room, or they may call for an evacuation of your neighborhood. For additional information on emergency preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 28. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Be aware of your surroundings. To prepare for a disaster at any time, practice paying attention to where you are, and think about where you could seek shelter or protection, or hide if you needed to. This will help you become more aware of your environment wherever you go, and will serve you well if you need it. In any buildings that you frequent, learn and memorize where all the emergency exits are located. When you go into unfamiliar buildings, make a point of noticing where the marked exits are.
Plan in advance — by mentally ‘practicing’ — how to get out of congested public area like a subway or airport. For additional information on emergency preparedness, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 29. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. Unlike an explosion, a biological attack may or may not be immediately obvious. Local health care workers may report a pattern of unusual illness or a wave of sick people seeking medical attention. The best source of information will be radio or television reports. It may take public health officials time to determine the exact illness, how it should be treated, and who may have been exposed. Understand that some biological agents, such as smallpox, can be spread between people, but others, such as anthrax, are not contagious. Your radio, TV, or smartphone should provide information, such as:
- Do the authorities believe your area has been exposed?
- What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
- Are medications or vaccines available?
- If so, where? Who should get them, and how?
- Where should you and family members go if sick?
If a biological emergency has been declared, be suspicious if a family member becomes sick. However, do not assume that you should go to a hospital emergency room. Symptoms of common illnesses may be similar to those of the biological agent. Avoid becoming one of the “worried well” — that can overwhelm hospital emergency rooms. Use common sense, and practice good hygiene and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs. However, if your symptoms match those described by the media, and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek medical attention. For more information, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 30. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. If your community offers any kind of emergency preparedness courses at any time, take them. Call to your local fire department or emergency coordination office and ask when and where classes are scheduled. Discontinued or ‘ad hoc’ EP courses might be available and rescheduled if enough interest is shown. Speak to others in your block, neighborhood, or workplace to arouse both interest and participation. At the very least, take a first aid course when you can. In addition, numerous emergency preparedness and response courses are available on-line from public safety, social services, and health sources. One excellent course that covers basic first aid, fire suppression, and light urban search-and-rescue in an emergency is CERT – “Community Emergency Response Team” through Citizens Corp. For more information on emergency training, contact your local fire department or emergency office, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
EP Moment 31. This is ‘One Moment in Emergency Preparedness’. You may recall that the three essentials of preparedness are: Have a Kit; Have a Plan; and Be Informed. With these essentials, are well on your way toward hazard preparedness for many situations. A confident and non-alarming attitude will be a comfort to those around you. Be prepared to ‘do without’ amenities you are familiar with having. Be adaptable and flexible. Show patience to others, who will probably be more anxious that you. With knowledge of these EP tips, help where you can. If your assistance is needed, offer it. It will take your mind off what’s going on around you, help you feel like you’re contributing. You may even save a life. For additional information on preparedness to make you even more confident to face an emergency, visit the BC Emergency Management website at www.pep.bc.ca , or call my office at (250) 886-1805.
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