While being prepared for an emergency is always relevant, it feels increasingly important with the chaotic state of geopolitics, and growing threats emerging as the climate crisis intensifies. In many ways, we are fortunate to live in a small community currently practicing some level of mutual aid and crisis navigation. For folks navigating illness, disability and advanced aging, it can feel all the more overwhelming. There is a lot of information out there, and staying on top of the changes can be challenging. Sometimes thinking about the potential of an emergency can lead to mental overwhelm and shutdown, so that avoiding the topic altogether becomes easier than facing the inevitable. Taking the time to review emergency plans can help to ease the anticipatory anxiety of potential crises, and doing so with friends and community members in a comfortable environment can help us to retain the information. Similar to learning First Aid skills, if we’re not using them regularly, these skills can get “rusty”, so it’s wise to block out some time each month, seasonally or however you choose, to review and re-educate.

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* Print out copies of the plans and guides, or ask a community member to print them for you. Keep these copies accessible, and on hand at all times.

Evacuation >>>

READ & PRINT: Cortes Island Evacuation Plan (updated winter 2021)
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Winter-2021-Cortes-Island-Evacuation-Plan-FINAL.pdf

PRINT: Cortes Island Evacuation Map
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CortesEvacZones2016_v2.pdf

Register for ALERTABLE - Emergency Alert System
Stay up to date on local and/or province-wide emergency alerts
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/app-alertable-emergency-alerts

Build an Emergency Kit & Grab & Go Bag:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/build-an-emergency-kit-and-grab-and-go-bag


Emergency Planning for Seniors and People with Disabilities >>>

READ & PRINT: BC Healthy Aging Core Emergency Preparedness Guide for Seniors
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/emergency-preparedness-guide-what-seniors-need-to-know

FOR SOCIAL SECTOR: United Way: Working Together in An Emergency, Social Sector Activation Guide https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/37086

VIDEO: Closing The Gaps: Advancing Emergency Preparedness Response and Recovery For Older Adults - Education for local support services and community mutual aid efforts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Q4Cip9UAg

READ & PRINT: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/guide-emergency-preparedness-for-people-with-disabilities

READ & PRINT: Red Cross Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults - A Practical Guide To Help Plan, Respond and Recover
https://cdn.redcross.ca/prodmedia/crc/documents/Emergencies-Guide-for-Older-Adults_web.pdf


Storm & Power Outage Safety >>>
What to do before an outage
What to do after an outage
Emergency situations involving downed power lines
Information is also available in ??? (Korean), ?????? (Punjabi), ??? (Cantonese), and ??? (Mandarin).
https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/power-outages/prepare-for-outages.html

READ & PRINT: General Home Electrical Safety
https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/electrical-safety/safety-at-home.html

READ: BC Hydro - Preparing To Leave Home In An Emergency Evacuation
https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/emergency-preparation/evacuations.html

READ: BC Hydro - Help with Bills After Evacuation
https://www.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/evacuee-help.html





Fire Risk & Prevention >>>

READ & PRINT: FireSmart Manual - preventative steps to take for your home, to reduce fire risk
https://cortesfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FireSmart_Booklet_web-Updated.pdf

READ & PRINT: Wildfire Preparedness Guide:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc-guides/wildfire_preparedness_guide.pd

Local Fire Ban Information - stay updated throughout fire season
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/coastal-fire-centre-bans

Cortes Fire Prevention Area Map - familiarize yourself with this map, and your location
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Cortes-Island-Fire-Protection-Area.pdf

BC Wildfire Information & Maps - provincial information and fire tracking
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status
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READ & PRINT: Community Wildfire Protection Plan (updated 2020)
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2020_Cortes_CWPP_FINAL.pdf

Extreme Heat, Earthquakes, Floods, Tsunamis >>>

READ & PRINT: Emergency Heat Preparedness Guide
https://srd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/preparedbc_extreme_heat_guide.pdf

READ: Tsunami Resources & Maps
https://srd.ca/services/emergency-preparedness/tsunami-resources-maps/

READ: Earthquake & Tsunami Resources
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc-guides/earthquake_and_tsunami_guide.pdf

USGS Earthquake Website: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/

READ & PRINT: SRD - Flood Preparedness Guide
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc-guides/preparedbc_flood_preparedness_guide_fillable.pdf



If you are interested in joining the SRD's Emergency Support Service team for Cortes Island, please contact preparednesssrd.ca

ESS is the “Heart of Emergency Response”.

British Columbians forced from their homes by fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies may receive emergency support services (ESS) for up to 72 hours.

ESS Volunteer responsibilities may include:

- Coordinating the provision of
- Food, clothing and lodging
- Emotional support
- Pet care
- Transportation
- Identifying locations for reception centres and group lodging to house and feed people forced from their homes
- Working with local businesses, service organizations and government agencies
- Providing information about the crisis
- Finding and coordinating other volunteers
- Family reunification

If you are interested in joining the SRD's Emergency Support Service team for Cortes Island, please contact preparednesssrd.ca
Shaun Koopman, Manager, Emergency Services
990 Cedar St.
Campbell River BC V9W 7Z8
Phone: 250-830-6702
Email: preparednesssrd.ca
Website: https://srd.ca/services/emergency-preparedness/emergency-support-services/