Emergency Preparedness Week & Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

Emergency Preparedness Week May 7 - 13, 2023

Emergency Preparedness Week is a nationwide event that encourages Canadians to take action to better prepare and protect themselves and their families during emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes and floods. We should all be ready to take care of ourselves for a minimum of 72 hours. Having a plan helps us be prepared and self-sufficient and allows emergency responders to prioritize assistance where it is most needed. The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) invites residents to learn more about emergency preparedness in our region through several resources including downloadable workbooks, handbooks, checklists and links to other emergency preparedness websites.

An important aspect of emergency preparedness is staying informed through verified services and accounts. The RDN encourages residents to sign up for Voyent-Alert, a free emergency notification service that enables subscribers to receive critical event messages through an app, text message, voice call or email. To receive critical emergency alerts, sign up at rdn.bc.ca/voyent-alert. Subscribers can choose to opt in or out of RDN non-emergency alerts as well on topics such as recreation, parks, water services and more. The RDN’s website and social media accounts are also a valuable resource to help you stay informed during an emergency.

Creating an emergency grab and go bag for yourself is an important part of being prepared for an emergency. Regularly check and update your grab and go bag to ensure everything is up to date. To make one, start by finding a sturdy bag that is easy to carry. Below is a list of what could be included in the bag to support you in the first 72 hours of an emergency.

Food (ready to eat) and water	Copy of your emergency plan
Phone charger and battery bank	Copies of important documents
Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio	Cash in small bills
Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight	Map that shows your family meeting place
Extra batteries	Seasonal clothing and emergency blanket
Small first-aid kit and personal medications	Pen and notepad
Toiletries, personal items like glasses	Whistle

For resources and to learn more about all RDN Emergency Services, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/nepp, rdn.bc.ca/emergency-services and rdn.bc.ca/emergency-preparedness.

Community Wildfire Preparedness Day May 6, 2023

Also during May is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. On May 6, residents are encouraged to take actions that increase their home, neighbourhood and community's resilience to wildfire. As the dry season approaches, now is the time to clean up yards and do a FireSmart assessment of your home and property. Being FireSmart is all about living with and managing wildfire risk in your area and on your property. FireSmart principles are effective at reducing risk to life and property in the most extreme wildfire conditions across Canada, including here in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN).

A great way to prioritize the FireSmart work around your home is to follow FireSmart Canada’s Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) recommendations. This zone emphasizes the importance of removing or reducing potential ignitions (e.g., highly flammable items such as vegetation, wood chips) in the immediate zone around your home, the most vulnerable area. The HIZ focuses on reducing the chance for flames to spread and places where embers may easily ignite objects or buildings.

Visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/rdn-firesmart and firesmartbc.ca to learn more about the Home Ignition Zone and to access a variety of resources that will help you prepare your home and community for wildfire season.