Plan, Prepare, Be Aware: Emergency Preparedness Week returns May 7-13, 2017

Get prepared through workshops and events happening throughout Squamish

Are you and your family prepared for safety in the event of an emergency or natural disaster? Emergency Preparedness Week, a national event designed to help people nation-wide protect themselves and their families during major emergencies, is happening May 7-13, 2017 with activities taking place throughout Squamish.

"The District takes its responsibility to be prepared for community emergencies very seriously, and part of that diligence is to ensure people's safety and encourage all individuals to have a plan for their own immediate welfare should an emergency situation arise,” says District of Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “Accordingly, residents should be prepared to take care of their family’s personal safety and survival during the first 72-hours of an emergency and ideally up to a week until help arrives.”

The public is invited to get involved in the following events hosted in celebration of Emergency Preparedness Week:

• Emergency Preparedness Workshop: Learn how to better prepare yourself, your family, and your pets for an emergency at this emergency preparedness workshop. In the workshop, you will learn steps to prepare for, respond to, and recover from floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters. You will also learn how to prepare for your pets and reduce possible damage to your property. Thursday, May 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Squamish Public Library.
• Seniors’ Centre Emergency Preparedness Workshop: An interactive emergency workshop that is tailored especially to seniors. Participants will learn how to build a “grab-and-go” bag that meets their specific needs. Thursday, May 11, 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Squamish Seniors’ Centre.
• Squamish Farmers' Market: Get emergency preparedness tips and resources at the Emergency Preparedness Booth. Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Victoria Street.
• Block Watch Open House: Meet your Block Watch team, learn about Community Policing and find out how Block Watch programs help to build safer neighbourhoods. Members of Squamish Fire Rescue, B.C. Ambulance, Community Police and Block Watch and WildSafeBC and others will be in attendance. All residents are welcome! Saturday, May 6, 1 to 3 p.m. at Pat Goode Park.  
• Small Business Emergency Preparedness Workshop in partnership with the Squamish Chamber of Commerce: This interactive workshop/Chamber luncheon will help Squamish businesses think about business risks that may be faced in the event of a community emergency. Join us to get information, tools and suggestions to prepare your business in order to recover and re-open for business as quickly as possible. One simple step taken today can make a big difference for your resilience in the future! Wednesday, May 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Match Eatery. Cost: $35 Chamber Member; $55 Future Member. Register at events@squamishchamber.com.

Residents are also being reminded to subscribe to the SquamishAlert emergency notification system which allows the District of Squamish and Squamish Nation to send coordinated emergency messaging to all area residents by phone, email and text. Sign up online here to create your account and stay informed.

May 3, 2017