Get Ready
Being prepared for an emergency greatly reduces the risk of harm to you, your loved ones, and your property. Disaster-resilient communities are made up of people who practice ‘everyday readiness’ such as knowing your neighbours, making sure your cell phone is always charged and your gas tank is at least half full, and buying a few extra tins of food each time you’re at the store.
How to Prepare
Residents and businesses must be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days or more following a major emergency such as an earthquake or flood.
Here are four simple steps to better prepare your family to face a range of emergencies:
- Know the risks: Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you become better prepared.
- Subscribe to the SquamishAlert: SquamishAlert is an emergency notification system that enables the District of Squamish to communicate important information quickly in the event of emergencies.
- Make a plan and practice it: Every Squamish household needs an emergency plan. Having a plan and practicing it removes some of the ‘unknown’ in an emergency or disaster situation.
- Get an emergency kit (or a grab-and-go bag): During an emergency, you may need to get by without power or tap water. You will also need some basic supplies. Plan to be on your own for at least three days or more.
During an emergency, you may need to leave your home immediately. A grab-and-go bag will help you through the next 12-24 hours. It should be personalized for each member of your family, including infants.
Make a Plan
What would you do if there was a disaster or other emergency while you were at work and your children were at school? How would you communicate to make sure everyone was safe and get your family back together?
Having a household emergency plan — and making sure everyone in your family is familiar with it — can help save valuable time during an emergency, and make the situation less stressful for everyone.
Quick tips for creating your plan
Your emergency plan should include details about:
- Meeting places for your family and loved ones to reunite, one close to your home and another outside your community
- Names and contact information for your neighbours
- Names and contact information for out-of-town contacts
- Family health details (medication names, Care Card numbers, doctor contact information
- Names of people assigned to pick up children, family members who require assistance, or pets, in case you're not able to
- The location of your emergency kit and grab-and-go bags
Ready to start creating your household emergency plan? Visit these online resources to get started
Prepare a Kit
During an emergency, you and your family need to be prepared to be self-sufficient at home for an extended period of time. You may also need to evacuate on short notice. In order to be ready for either of these scenarios, you should prepare a 72-Hour Household Emergency Kit, as well as Grab & Go Bags for each of your household members, in advance.
Most of the items you need to create an Emergency Kit are basic camping and outdoors supplies, which many people in Squamish already have in their homes. Gather and organize your emergency supplies now so that you are ready when disaster strikes.
During an emergency, you and your family need to be prepared to be self‐sufficient at home for an extended period of time. In the event of an emergency or disaster, roads may be closed, and emergency services stretched beyond capacity. It is important that you and your family are able to go at least 72 hours without outside assistance.
Most of the items you need to create an emergency kit are basic camping and outdoors supplies, which many people in Squamish already have in their homes. Gather and organize your emergency supplies now so that you are ready when disaster strikes. Check out Prepare Squamish for more information.
Download this information as a pdf: Household Emergency Checklist.
Recommended Items:
- Water: 4 litres per person, per day for drinking and sanitation (or a water purification system)
- Non‐perishable food: 3‐day to 1‐week supply. Ensure you have a supply of suitable food for babies, toddlers and any pets.
- Camping bowls/plates and cutlery
- Manual can opener, Sharp pair of scissors and camping knife
- Camp stove and fuel, or briquettes
- Phone charger, battery bank or inverter
- Battery‐powered or hand‐crank flashlight
- Battery‐powered or hand‐crank radio
- Extra batteries
- First‐aid kit and medications
- Personal toiletries‐ if relevant include sanitary napkins, diapers for babies, extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Blankets and towels
- Large tarps and rope
- Tent
- Cash in small bills
- Copy of your emergency plan, copies of important documents, such as insurance papers (store copies on a USB stick, or in the cloud)
- Garbage bags, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and moist towelettes for personal sanitation
- Seasonal clothing, sturdy footwear
- Dust masks, work gloves, and safety glasses
- Whistles
Visit the Provincial Preparedness site for more information about emergency kits.
Safety at work will help ensure a safe return home to your family. Be prepared to turn your workplace into a temporary shelter. The following items will fit into a standard athletic bag or backpack to keep at work. Be sure to add in any additional supplies you may need. If you have to evacuate the building, use this bag as a Grab n Go bag. In all emergency situations, protecting the life and personal safety of employees, clients and visitors takes precedence over protecting property.
Gather and organize your emergency supplies now so that you are ready when disaster strikes.
Download this information in a pdf: Work Emergency Kit
Recommended Items:
- Flashlights (lanterns for overall lighting, headlamps to keep hands free)
- Extra alkaline batteries (stored in original packaging for flashlight and radio)
- Safety goggles or glasses
- Medications
- Light sticks
- Whistle (3 short blasts for help)
- Cell phone charger
- Hard hat for falling debris
- Personal toiletries (tissue, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant)
- AM/FM radio (windup and/or battery operated)
- Out of area contact card Bottled water (minimum 4 liters)
- Cell phone charger or solar powered battery charger
- Food (ready to eat)
- Emergency blanket & poncho
- Change of clothes (think seasonal)
- Sturdy walking shoes, socks
- Leather palmed work gloves
- Dust Mask
- Emergency cash in small denominations
If you cannot return home consider planning in advance:
- Alternate accommodation arrangements with co‐workers, family or friends
- Designated person(s) to pick up and care for your children and pets
The unexpected can happen any time and anywhere. You may be in your car and not able to return home, so you need to have supplies to help sustain you and keep you comfortable. Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times, especially in winter. Consider what you can comfortably carry because you may have to leave your car and walk to a safe location. Before traveling, check the weather forecast and DriveBC for information about your route.
Gather and organize your emergency supplies now so that you are ready when disaster strikes.
Download this check list a a pdf: Vehicle Emergency Kit
Recommended Items:
- Water pouches (9‐ 41/2 oz. packages)
- Food (ready to eat)
- Sturdy walking shoes & socks
- Medications
- Extra clothing (think seasonal
- Poncho & emergency blanket
- Heavy duty work gloves
- Battery operated/wind‐up radio & batteries
- Flashlights & batteries / light sticks/headlamp
- Cell phone charger or solar battery charger
- Warm blanket or sleeping bag
- Whistle
- Out of area contact number
- Pen and small notepad
- Emergency cash in small denominations
- Local map book
- Multi‐blade / exacto knife
- Survival candles & matches
- Warning lights and flares
- Additional supplies such as:
- Book and playing cards
- Small first aid kit
- Reading glasses
- Hand and foot warmers
- Sunblock lotion
- Empty container or bucket
Vehicle Supplies:
- Fire extinguisher
- Tools
- Rags and/or paper towels
- Shovel
- Booster cables
- Tow chain or rope
- Sand, salt, kitty litter or traction mat
- Ice scraper and brush
- Methyl hydrate to de‐ice fuel line
During an emergency, you and your animal companion(s) may be on your own for several days, and your pets will be relying on you to help them through it. Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for the human members in your household. It is important that you have enough supplies for your pet for 72 hours, as well as a grab‐and‐go bag for them if you have to leave your home quickly.
Gather and organize your pet’s emergency supplies now so that you are ready when disaster strikes
Download this information in a pdf: Pet Emergency Kit
Recommended Items:
- Leash, pet restraint, muzzle or harness
- Pet carrier
- Pet food for three days to one week (or more)
- Water for three days to one week (or more)
- Collapsible food and water dishes
- Towels/blanket
- Treats
- A favourite toy
- Waterproof backpack or bag for your pet supplies
- Copy of vaccination records
- Medications and basic pet first aid supplies
- Photos of your pet(s) with you and alone; they can be used for identification
Think ahead – you might need extra supplies based on what type of pet you have:
- CATS? You’ll need a small container of cat litter and plastic bags
- DOGS? You’ll need a roll of poop bags
- REPTILES? You may need a portable battery‐operated heat lamp
- BIRDS? You might need cuttlebone and grit
Download the PreparedBC Pet Emergency Plan booklet.
Prepare Grab & Go bags for each member of your family, including infants and pets. Store your supplies in a backpack so you are free to carry other items, hold a child’s hand or assist someone else. If you have mobility issues, use a bag on wheels or make a plan with your friends and family for assistance. Consider what you can comfortably carry. Always remember to take your cell phone with you.
Download this checklist as a pdf: Emergency Grab & Go Bag
Suggested items;
- Water, three day supply (minimum 1 litre per person a day, ideally 4 litres a day); water purification tablets (or household bleach);
- Food bars, preserved foods
- Clothing, walking shoes
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Goggles
- Emergency blanket
- First Aid Kit
- Multi purpose knife
- 12 hour light sticks
- Flashlight
- Battery operated radio
- Batteries
- Sportsman’s saw
- Survival bag (shelter)
- Whistle
- Pouch and money (should include coins)
- Extra keys for your car and house
- Personal toiletries (toothbrush/paste, soap, face cloth, mirror, comb etc.)
- Medicine (should include Rx, Rx glasses etc.)
- Dry pet food (don’t forget pets’ Rx)
- Writing pad and pencil (especially useful for leaving notes)
- Large garbage bags
- String (misc. uses, i.e. shoelaces etc.)
- Duct tape (repair poncho, shelter, plastic bags etc.)
- Favorite toy/picture of family/copies of ID
- Games (i.e. deck of cards)
- Emergency phone contact list