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Emergency Preparedness - Safety - City of Vernon, British Columbia Canada

The City of Vernon has partnered with the District of Coldstream to implement an Emergency Response and Recovery Plan for the Vernon/Coldstream boundaries. The purpose of the plan is to help Vernon/Coldstream officials save lives, reduce suffering, protect property, mitigate damage to the environment, and control the economic consequences of emergencies and disasters.

After a disaster (fire, earthquake, toxic spill, etc.) you may have to look after yourself for 72 hours or longer until services or supplies are restored. Temporarily you may have to leave your home and go to a reception center for help with food, clothing or lodging. Our reception centre is located at the Recreation Complex, 3310 - 37 Ave., Vernon.

Pre-recorded, Emergency Preparedness and Harzard Information is available 24hrs a day at 250-550-3232
A Vernon/Coldstream Emergency Program goal is to help every resident prepare a plan to minimize the effects of a disaster. An emergency or natural disaster can happen at any time. The best approach for all of us follow is to “BE PREPARED”. Listed below you will find information on materials that are available to local residents.

Are you Prepared?

Are You Prepared To Take Care Of Yourself And Your Loved Ones In The Event Of A Disaster?

  • Are you prepared to take care of yourselves for a minimum of 72 hours?
  • Do you have at least 72 hours of drinking water and food safely stored for your family?
  • Do you have a basic survival kit for each member of your family and have you stored additional provisions to last an extended period of time?
  • Have you conducted a Home Hazard Hunt?
  • Does your family have a reunion plan?
  • Do you have the means to prepare meals if the power is out for an extended period of time?
  • Does each member of your family know how to turn off home utilities such as water, gas, electricity?
  • In a sudden power outage, could you quickly locate a battery operated flashlight and radio?
  • Do you have a fully stocked first aid kit and know how to use it?
  • Do you know what plans your children's school has developed for protection during disasters?
  • If a disaster struck in your neighbourhood, have you determined how you will signal for assistance?
  • Have you done a hazard analysis at your work place within the last 6 months?
  • Do you know where your local reception center is?

If you answered "NO" to any of these questions, now is the time to act.

DISASTERS HAPPEN!! Don't wait until it is too late!!

Home Survival Plan

Here Are Some Of The Things You Can Do:

  • Have your disaster survival kit ready and know how find it in the dark.
  • Have a family plan so everyone knows and practices:
    • Where to meet if separated
    • Who collects the kids from school
    • What to do in an emergency
  • Secure all heavy appliances and furniture.
  • Ensure that your water tank(s) are properly secured.
  • Reinforce your chimney, if you have one.
  • Have a second source of heat that can work off the grid.
  • Be ready to evacuate your home if necessary with:
    • Your disaster survival kit(s)
    • Important family documents
    • Clothing and Sleeping supplies
    • Washing and hygiene needs
    • Special needs bag, (medications, baby supplies, etc.)

Get to know your neighbours, and make arrangements to help each other in an emergency.

Doing these now will save you time, money and maybe your life when a disaster occurs.

If you are unsure about chimney, hot water tank or home structure, contact brick layers, plumbers or builders for advice.

Common Myths About Disasters and Preparedness:

  • It will never happen to me...
  • It’s all insured so I'm OK...
  • I'm sure we would all cope...
  • You can't plan for the unforeseen...
  • If I don't have a disaster I've wasted my money...
  • The government will take care of me right away...

Achieving Community Response and Recovery

The following is a simple outline of a planning format and the steps that are required to achieve community preparedness. Each level has specific requirements that can be identified and implemented through community involvement processes of information analysis, needs assessments, workshops, meetings etc.

Three Steps

1. Personal Preparedness
2. Neighbourhood Preparedness
3. Community Preparedness

Personal Preparedness

Primary Responsibilities

  • Personal preparedness for a minimum of 72 hrs.
  • Provide water, food and shelter for loved ones.
  • Provide special needs preparedness.
Neighbourhood Preparedness

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide overall coordination of the neighbourhood plan both before and immediately following.
  • Assist the individual neighbourhood disaster committees.

Preparing your neighbourhood

Six disaster task committees:

1.Damage Assessment 
2.Search and Rescue
3.First Aid
4.Sheltering and Special Needs
5.Utilities and Fire Suppression
6.Communications
 

Community Preparedness

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide overall coordination of the community emergency plan, before, during and immediately following disasters.
  • Assist the individual neighbourhood disaster committees.

Preparing your Community

Disaster planning sub-committees

1.Communications
2.Damage assessment
3.Exercise design and implementation
4.Hazardous materials
5.Mass Casualty Incidents
6.Volunteer support

Serious Local Threats

The most serious local threats include but are not limited to:

  • Aircraft Crash
  • Atmospheric Hazards
  • Disease and Epidemics
  • Drought
  • Explosion
  • Fire
  • Wildfire
  • Urban
  • Industrial
  • Flooding
  • Hazardous Materials Spill
  • Landslide or Debris Flows
  • Lost Persons
  • Lake incident
  • Motor Vehicle crashes
  • Pet Safety
  • Power Outages
  • Rail Crashes
  • Seismic Event
  • Social disturbance
  • Structural Collapse
  • Telecommunications failure
  • Terrorism
  • Volcanic Ash Fallout

Links

Emergency Preparedness Week - May 7-13, 2006An alphabetical list for you to find more information on being prepared in case of an emergency:

There are a number of training and information programs that are available to the community. Information is available on the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) website. Current local community emergency response events and information will be posted on the City of Vernon website.

REMEMBER:

Volunteers are essential for the success of a community Emergency Response Program. The Vernon/Coldstream Emergency Social Services (ESS) is always looking for volunteers to assist during an emergency. If you are interested in becoming a part of this team, please contact Emergency Social Services Coordinator Brent Watson @ 250-550-3246.