Personal preparedness

Make a plan

Emergencies can be overwhelming, and making decisions under pressure can be challenging. Taking the time to prepare a plan before you need it will help you respond more effectively and reduce stress when it matters most.

Make sure your household is familiar with your plan. Write your plan down, and keep copies at home, at work, and in your car just in case. Then, use your plan to make an emergency kit.

Your plan includes:

• Who is in your plan?
  • Your plan should include the people you most care about, whether they are your family, friends or pets. Think about how independent they are, how you might get to them or even just get in touch. It’s a good idea to ensure those included in the plan are familiar with it. Consider who relies on you during an emergency.
  • If you are new to Canada or have recently moved to a new area, make arrangements through neighbours, friends, community organizations or cultural associations.
• What are the things you absolutely need?
  • Do you wear glasses, have health or accessibility concerns, or require medication? Make sure these important things are accounted for in your plan, along with specific instructions or requirements.
• Where are you likely to be?
  • Your plan should include common locations like home, work, school etc. where you’re most likely to be when an emergency happens Think about how your travel to and from these destinations and how that might be impacted.
• Where will you meet?
  • Choose a local meeting place where your family or friends can reunite.
• What local hazards are you planning for?
  • Be aware of local hazards in your community.
• Key contacts
  • Primary contact for updates and check ins. Ideally, someone out-of-province or not impacted from the hazard as local networks may be overloaded.
  • Designated helper(s) to assist with children pickup and/or care for pets, if needed
  • Trusted individuals who can assist you during an emergency.
  • Should you require specialized medical or mobility equipment ensure your trusted individuals are familiar and know how to use it.

Tailor your plan to where you live and work

Your plan should include common locations where you are most likely to be when an emergency happens. Think about how you travel to and from these locations and how that might be impacted:

• Your city and region
  • What hazards are common (e.g., earthquakes, wildfires, floods in BC)?
• Your neighbourhood
  • Do you rely on bridges or tunnels for travel?
  • Are you located near a body of water or at the top of a steep hill?
• Your immediate surroundings
  • What are the access routes in and out of your building?
  • Do you know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity?

Helpful reminder

Local phone lines may become overwhelmed during an emergency. Designate an out-of-area contact that everyone in your family knows to check in with. Long-distance calls often go through when local calls don’t.

Additional resources:

• Build your Emergency Ready Plan online at https://blog.gov.bc.ca/emergencymanagement/emergencyready
• Learn more about community preparedness [LINK]

Build a kit

An emergency kit is a collection of essential supplies to keep you, your household and pets safe and self-sufficient at home for a minimum of three days (72 hours). In some emergency situations, you may need to leave immediately – having a grab-and-go bag, a smaller version of your home kit with at least one day’s (24 hours) worth of supplies, is also essential. If you have a car, prepare an emergency car kit to keep in your vehicle.

Emergencies can happen at any time. Consider where you may be and what items you may benefit from having with you. Your kits complement each other and support your emergency plan. Store them in a safe, accessible location and ensure everyone in your household knows where to find them. For more information on types of kits (grab-and-go vs. home kit) visit PrepareBC

Building a kit is simple and doesn’t have to be costly. You may already have many important items; the key is to make sure they are consolidated and easy to access. You can also purchase ready-made emergency kits with retailers online or at the UBC Bookstore.