Household & Family Preparedness

Natural disasters—such as floods and wildfires—or technological or environmental accidents like chemical spills or transportation incidents, can strike your community at any time. In the RDCK, the four most likely emergencies to occur are wildfires, floods, landslides and hazardous materials spills. Your best defense is to be prepared.

Know the Risks - Have a Plan - Get a Kit

 Here's what you will find on this page:


 Are you prepared?

Each year, thousands of people face emergency situations that could change their lives forever. Don't be caught off-guard. Know the hazards in your area and take the time now to assemble your family "Grab and Go" Emergency Kit and plan where you will go if you need to evacuate. Remember to include your pets.

Getting your family prepared for an emergency may seem like a lot of work, but it will be easier if you do a little at a time, as your resources and budget permit. The important thing is to start preparing now. The more you do to prepare, the more confident you will be that you can protect yourself and your family when disaster strikes.

Sign up for the RDCK Emergency Notification System

In potentially life-threatening circumstances, the RDCK may issue an Evacuation Alert or an Evacuation Order to residents living in a hazard area. Any Evacuation Alerts or Orders will be communicated through the RDCK Emergency Notification System. Information related to current emergencies will also be posted on: The EOC Information page, your local radio stations, Facebook and Twitter. 

RDCK Emergency Management Program

Protecting public safety is the priority of government. When emergencies occur, several agencies must work together to assist people with evacuations and access to shelter, water and food. The RDCK has emergency plans in place to protect our citizens and, in the event of an emergency, and with support from the Provincial government, will activate our emergency operations centre (EOC) to coordinate the activities to protect your safety. Learn more about our Emergency Management Program in the RDCK.

Power outages

Most power outages will be over almost as soon as they begin, but some can last much longer - up to days or even weeks. Power outages are often caused by freezing rain, sleet storms and/or high winds which damage power lines and equipment. Cold snaps or heat waves can also overload the electric power system

During a power outage, you may be left without heating/air conditioning, lighting, hot water or even running water. If you only have a cordless phone, you will also be left without phone service. If you do not have a battery-powered or crank radio, you may have no way of monitoring news broadcasts. In other words, you could be facing major challenges.

You can greatly lessen the impact of a power outage by taking the time to prepare in advance. You and your family should be prepared to cope on your own during a power outage for at least 72 hours "Grab & Go" Emergency Kit. This involves 3 basic steps:

  1. Finding out on what to do before, during, and after a power outage.
  2. Making a family emergency plan, so that everyone knows what to do, and where to go if you need to leave your home.
  3. Getting an emergency kit, so that you and your family can be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during a power outage.

Visit the Outages & safety page of the BC Hydro website for more information and tips.

Insurance

Owning a home may be your largest single financial investment so it’s important to protect your property and contents against unforeseen risks with home insurance. Visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada website for information on insurance.

Air quality

Heat Waves

Highway incidents and events

  • Visit DriveBC to find out about possible road closures.

BC Transit

Weather hazards

  • Check the Environment Canada weather forecast before going out (e.g. pay attention to wind chill or heat warnings). Warnings are based on local climate, and are shared via the local media.
  • Environment Canada provides a number of weather tools and resources so you can “Get your weather
  • Weather forecasts are available through radio and TV broadcasts, Environment Canada's Weatheradio service, and online at www.weather.gc.ca
  • More tips are available on the Severe Weather section of the PreparedBC website

Where to get important information

PreparedBC

British Columbia's one-stop-shop for disaster readiness. Visit their website to learn how to prepare your home, family, business or neighbourhood for potential disasters. 

PreparedBC provides detailed information and personal plans to help prepare for floods, wildfires, and many more emergencies.

Public Safety Canada

Public Safety Canada works in collaboration with other federal departments and provincial and territorial governments, academia, national associations and non-governmental organizations to strengthen national emergency preparedness. Visit their Emergency Preparedness web page to learn more about how the federal government is helping to keep communities safe and resilient.

Livestock

Premises Identification (ID), one of the pillars of animal traceability, links poultry and livestock, including bees, to geographic locations. In the event of an emergency, Premises ID information improves the BC government's ability to rapidly notify animal owners, contain pest and animal disease outbreaks and more effectively respond to natural disasters like floods or fires. Visit their Premise ID web page to learn more about the program and to register your livestock. 

 

The content on this page was last updated January 3 2024 at 1:02 AM