UBC boosts faculty and staff emergency preparedness 

On June 13, over 100 UBC faculty and staff came together to learn about earthquake and emergency preparedness. Attendees were equipped with practical tools to prepare for an emergency, thanks to expert advice and engaging stories from disaster specialist Jackie Kloosterboer. With over 30 years of experience, Jackie shared memorable examples of real-life emergencies, helping people visualize how to respond to earthquakes, fires, and power outages.

Key takeaways included how to pack an emergency kit (including one for your pets!), how to create family communication plans, and why securing furniture can make a big difference during an earthquake.

“It really opened my eyes to things I hadn’t thought about, like having an out of area contact that my friends and family know to reach out to after a major incident,” said one attendee.

The session also highlighted UBC’s own emergency response systems, presented by Cassandra Torres, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisor. She walked the group through UBC’s emergency communication tools, UBC Alert and the UBC Safe App, as well as government systems, Alertable and Alert Ready. She also discussed UBC’s Mass Care Program, which provides food, water, and shelter after a major event as well as ongoing work to upgrade our community’s resilience. Overall, the workshop offered more than just information—it gave attendees a clear sense of how to get prepared and what to expect in an emergency.

Emergency preparedness workshops are also planned for students and the University Neighbourhoods Association in the fall. Register here.