17 minute read
Connect with your neighbours and discuss how you can work together to help each other during emergencies
Local Emergency Programs The capital region is made up of 13 municipalities and three electoral areas. Each is responsible for its own local emergency program. These emergency programs help support and manage the planning, preparedness and response efforts in your community. You can contact your local program to: ■ Obtain information on emergency preparedness and upcoming workshops and events, ■ Arrange an emergency preparedness workshop for your organization or community group, and ■ Volunteer for local neighbourhood programs such as Emergency Social Services (ESS), Search and Rescue (SAR) and Emergency Radio Communications (Comms).
4 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY | March 17, 2020 IF YOU ARE NEAR THE OCEAN DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: ■ DO move to higher ground once the shaking stops. ■ DO monitor local media. ■ DO follow the instructions of authorities. ■ DO NOT go near the water to watch.
IF POSSIBLE
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: USING CANE
■ DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
■ Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table (or against a wall with your arms covering your head/neck), and
■ HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops. USING WALKER
Central Saanich centralsaanich.ca 250.544.4238 emergencyprogram@csaanich.ca LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEB ADDRESS PHONE EMAIL LOCAL EMERGENCY PROGRAM CONTACT Keep these local & national emergency numbers handy! For more info: prepareyourself.ca USING WHEELCHAIR
Colwood colwood.ca 250.478.5999 emergencyprogram@colwood.ca
Esquimalt esquimalt.ca 250.414.7120 emergency.program@esquimalt.ca www.EarthquakeCountry.org/disability Pa ADA Center Paci c ADA Center Earthquake Country Alliance :H·UHDOOLQWKLVWRJHWKHU
Highlands highlands.ca 250.474.1773 lhilton@highlands.ca
Juan de Fuca crd.bc.ca 250.642.8105 jdfepc@crd.bc.ca
Langford cityoflangford.ca 250.478.9555 firechief@cityoflangford.ca
Metchosin metchosinemergencyprogram.ca 250.478.1307 firechief@metchosinfire.ca North Saanich northsaanich.ca 250.656.1931 emergprogram@northsaanich.ca Emergency Preparedness in the Capital Region
Oak Bay oakbay.ca 250.592.9121 obep@oakbay.ca
Saanich saanich.ca 250.475.7140 sep@saanich.ca Salt Spring Island crd.bc.ca 250.537.1220 ssiepc@crd.bc.ca
Sidney sidney.ca 250.656.2121 firedept@sidney.ca Sooke sooke.ca 250.642.5422 info@sooke.ca
Southern Gulf Islands crd.bc.ca 866.308.6160 sgiepc@crd.bc.ca Victoria victoriaready.ca 250.920.3373 emvic@victoria.ca
View Royal viewroyal.ca 250.479.7322 emergencyprogram@viewroyal.ca
PrepareCRD Central Saanich Colwood Esquimalt Highlands Juan de Fuca Twitter
@PrepareCRD @CSaanichFire @cityofcolwood @EsquimaltBC @HighlandsEP @JdFemerg Langford Metchosin North Saanich Oak Bay Saanich SGI @LangfordFire @MetchosinEOC @dns_fire @OakBayFireDept @SaanichEP @SGIEmergPrg Sidney Sooke SSI Victoria View Royal @SidneyVFire @Sookeca @SSIEmergency @CityOfVictoria @VRFD
GRAB & GO BAGS BASIC SURVIVAL
two small bottles of water, two energy bars, chewing gum one week’s worth of prescription medication and copy of prescriptions ✔ ✔
extra pair of eye glasses, batteries for hearing aids, etc. emergency blanket (Mylar “space blanket“) ✔ ✔
emergency rain poncho or large plastic garbage bag whistle and dust mask (earthquakes can stir up thick clouds of dust) ✔ ✔
emergency radio/flashlight with extra batteries multi-tool/Swiss Army knife ✔ ✔
mini first aid kit – items such as pain tablets, eye drops, ointment, nitrite gloves, foil pack of water, etc. ✔
SECURITY, PEACE OF MIND
photocopies or password-protected USB drive of important wallet contents and insurance policies key contacts list, cellphone and phone card ✔ ✔
notebook and pen or retractable pencil supply of cash in small bills and coins ✔ ✔
spare keys for home, car, other recent photos of family and pets ✔ ✔
book, cards, puzzles chargers and adaptors for cellphones and other electronics included in your grab & go bags ✔ ✔
HOME AND SHELTER-IN-PLACE KIT After a disaster, it’s best to remain in your own home if you can do so safely. You will need supplies for cooking, making temporary repairs and providing comfort for your family. The emergency supplies should be kept separate from the things you normally use, to ensure they are available and in working order.
BASIC
Potable (drinkable) water: 4 litres per person per day for at least 7 days, plus water for pets. Food, emergency stove and cooking equipment: a variety of long-storing healthy foods that do not need refrigeration and are easy to prepare and eat under difficult conditions, such as nutritious canned food. ✔ ✔
Health and safety: home first aid kit and first aid manual; power failure lights for halls/stairwells; fire extinguishers. ✔
Communications: a landline phone that operates on a phone jack and does not require electrical power (corded phone) or an emergency radio (battery- or solar-powered, or wind-up). ✔
Heat, light and warmth: sleeping bags (much warmer than regular bedding, Mylar blankets, ground sheets or air mattresses, newspaper (for insulation); camping tent or tarpaulin and ropes (in case house is unsafe and there are no other alternatives); flashlights with lots of batteries, light sticks, battery-powered or solar lanterns. ✔
Sanitation and hand-washing: duct tape, lots of plastic garbage bags, emergency toilet kit, disposable gloves, outside garbage can for disposal of waste bags, toilet paper, baby wipes, liquid soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, potable water and paper towels. Rescue, repair and clean up: tarpaulins, nylon ropes, duct tape, plastic sheeting and/or large garbage bags; axe, crowbar, hacksaw; aluminum shut-off wrench for gas meter; head lamp, work gloves, dust masks, coveralls, sturdy shoes, goggles, rags, non-permeable disposable gloves, clean utility water (non drinkable), detergents, and large, clear plastic garbage bags for taping over broken windows. ✔ ✔
Household generator and fuel: especially for needs such as refrigerated medication, medical appliances and equipment, etc. Generators must never be operated in the house or other enclosed space. Generators may be a target for theft if left unattended. ✔
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You and your family should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least seven days after an emergency. This section will provide you with the resources to be ready and equipped for all emergencies, including how to create an emergency plan to reunite with your family, how to secure heavy items in your home, and how to build emergency kits and grab & go bags. Once you’re prepared, you will learn about the hazards in the capital region and specific considerations for each of those hazards.
Recommendations: EMERGENCY PLAN 1 Ask an out-of-area friend or relative to act as a contact for family members who may become separated during a disaster. 2 Decide in advance, as a family, where to meet and where to shelter in case you are separated and/or are unable to remain in your home in a disaster. 3 Make copies of important photos and documents and store them offsite, online or on a password-protected USB drive. 4 Connect with your neighbours and discuss how you can work together to help each other during emergencies.
MAKE AN EMERGENCY PLAN Contact Information and Reunification Planning One of the most important things you can do is to plan how you will connect with your family in case of an emergency. An emergency can strike at any time, maybe while you are at home, work, school, driving or pursuing hobbies. It is important to know where each family member will be, how you will communicate with each other and to have a reunification spot identified ahead of time. It is also important to know how to contact trusted information services.
Planning For You And Your Family An emergency plan will help guide you and your family in case of an emergency. The plan should include:
Places to stay in case you cannot access your home, such as a friend or relative’s house, RV, boat or hotel. ✔
Two routes, that everyone knows, to the reunification spot from where they live, work and play. How you will communicate in case you and your family members are separated. ✔ ✔
Contact people both in your local area and out-of-area. Safe exit routes from your home and work. ✔ ✔
Risks in the region. Locations and proper use of important equipment such as fire extinguishers, gas and water valves, floor drain(s) and the electrical box. ✔ ✔
Those who may rely on you for assistance: children, family members with special considerations, and pets. Arrangement for care and evacuation of pets and farm animals, especially if you are away when disaster strikes. ✔ ✔
Health information, such as allergies, necessary medication, equipment and contact details for doctor, pharmacy, and other important health providers. A list of important contacts, vital documents, and small valuables to take with you if you are evacuated. ✔ ✔
You may have special considerations during an emergency, such as vision, hearing, mobility, speech, language or understanding limitations. Your plan should include the things you may need to shelter in your home or away from your home.
Develop a “buddy” system with family, friends and neighbours to check on each other after an emergency. Telephones may not be working, so arrange check-ins with people who live near you. You may want to give your “buddy” a key to your home. Keep a list of medications, allergies and special equipment. Include the name, address and telephone numbers of important contacts such as your doctor, pharmacist, family members, clergy or friends. Provide a copy to each “buddy” and keep a copy with you at all times. Remove or properly secure hazards in the home that could fall or cause injury. Develop a backup plan for life-sustaining equipment so it works in the event of a power outage, which may include buying an emergency generator. Ensure you know how to properly operate and fuel your equipment. If you use oxygen, ensure the tank is secure. If you use a wheelchair or walking aids, keep them near you at all times and have extra walking aids in other areas of the house. Place a battery-powered night light or flashlight in each room. ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Keep a whistle or horn handy to signal for help. If you use battery-powered equipment, ensure you have extra batteries properly stored and accessible. ✔ ✔
If you require continued service from a service provider during an emergency, make a list of all the required contact and service information and put it with your important papers. Ask each service provider for a summary of their emergency plans so you know what to expect following an emergency or disaster. ✔
Planning for Pets and Farm Animals
PETS Plans for pets can save precious time and maybe even your pet’s life. Make sure you designate someone to care for or evacuate your pet if you are not home when disaster strikes.
If you have to leave your home, you will have to decide whether to take your pet with you. Keep in mind if you are evacuated to a group lodging facility or reception centre, you may need to make alternative arrangements for your pets. If you choose to leave your pet at home:
Make sure they have dry food and water for at least seven days. Put them in a room where there is access to a high counter in case of flooding and that is free of hazards such as windows, large mirrors or picture frames. Separate your dogs, cats and other smaller pets as they may behave differently under stress. Leave a sign on your door with the number of animals in the house along with their locations so emergency responders know where to look. ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
If you choose to take your pet with you:
Put them in a sturdy portable carrier and make sure they are comfortable with it beforehand. Include items for your pet in your emergency kit, such as dry food, water and medications. ✔ ✔
FARM ANIMALS Farm animals include alpacas, cattle, donkeys, fur-farmed animals, goats, horses, llamas, mules, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. Make sure you have an evacuation plan in place and that you designate someone to execute the plan in case you are away when an emergency happens.
GET THE FACTS ABOUT NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
WHAT IS NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found mostly in animals. In humans, they can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). The new coronavirus has been named COVID-19. While many of the characteristics of COVID-19 are still unknown, mild to severe illness has been reported for confirmed cases. Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTONS? The symptoms of COVID-19, are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. They include cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. If you have traveled to the affected area of Hubei Province, China, and develop these symptoms, avoid contact with others and call ahead to a health-care professional. Do the same if you develop symptoms and have been in contact with a confirmed case or a traveller returning from the affected area with these symptoms. • Tell your health-care professional: • your symptoms; • where you have been travelling or living; • if you had direct contact with animals (for example, if you visited a live animal market); and • if you had close contact with a sick person, especially if they had a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Call ahead to the health-care facility you are planning to visit so they can
8 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY | March 17, 2020 be prepared to take precautions. In an emergency, describe your symptoms, travel history and any sick contacts when you first arrive at the facility so that appropriate precautions can be taken. Until more is understood about the virus, older people and people with a weakened immune system or underlying medical condition are considered at higher risk of severe disease.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY? Follow the same advice that public health officials recommend for the cold and flu season: wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid others who are unwell, and stay home when you are sick. The most important thing you can do to prevent coronavirus and other illnesses is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Cover your mouth when you cough so you’re not exposing other people. If you are sick yourself, stay away from others. Contact your health-care provider ahead of time so you can be safely assessed.
WHAT IS THE RISK TO THE PUBLIC? The risk of spread of this virus in B.C. communities remains low at this time. In B.C., Canada and many other countries, we continue to be in active containment mode to detect cases and respond to prevent the virus from spreading in the community. We are closely monitoring the global situation and recognize that the virus is spreading within communities in other parts of the world. We are preparing and planning for more widespread transmission in BC and Canada to mitigate the impact of the virus on individuals, the health care system and the community.
CAN I GET SICK TOUCHING A PACKAGE FROM CHINA? To our knowledge, no one has become ill from touching a package from China so far and the risk is low. COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets that come from a person’s throat or lungs when they’re coughing or sneezing. While droplets can fall on surfaces including packages, viruses in the coronavirus family don’t survive very long on surfaces. They are sensitive to the environment and likely won’t survive for the amount of time it takes for packages to travel internationally. We recommend washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds as a precaution to further lower your risk of getting sick from COVID-19 and other viruses. Whenever you have touched surfaces, packages or other people, wash your hands before you touch your face, take care of other people or prepare food.
HOW IS B.C. PREPARING FOR A SPREAD OF COVID-19 The Ministry of Health and BCCDC, working with many partners, have plans and are prepared to respond to new illnesses of public health concern. We have been actively monitoring the situation with COVID-19 over the past weeks, together with national and international groups, to be ready for identifying and caring for those who may have COVID-19 and to prevent its spread. B.C. developed one of the first tests to confirm COVID-19. A Provincial Coordination Committee is in place to respond to COVID-19 in British Columbia. This committee will co-ordinate provincial preparedness and response across our health sector.
INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS People arriving in Canada from Hubei Province, China, Iran and Italy are asked to stay home and self-isolate for 14 days and monitor closely for symptoms of illness. If any symptoms arise, connect with your primary care provider, local public health office or call 8-1-1. Canada has active COVID-19 travel advisories for: • China • France • Germany • Hong Kong • Iran • Italy • Japan • Singapore • South Korea • Spain Canada is also recommending that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. British Columbians should monitor their health while they are travelling and after they return. If you have any symptoms at all of a cold or influenza, even if they’re mild, stay away from others. If you have been to areas, particularly where we know there has been transmission of COVID-19, then call your health care provider, call 8-1-1, call public health. Always tell health care providers about recent travel if you become ill after returning to Canada.
