Whether it is floods, wildfires, earthquakes or tsunamis, severe weather and power outages, natural and unnatural events can severely impact our organizations and personal lives, and can strike at any time. It’s good to be prepared.
The following list is by no means exhaustive, but can be used to initiate conversation, point to civic resources, and to generate sector-specific response:
ACTIVE ADVISORIES www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca and @EmergencyInfoBC
PreparedBC – British Columbia’s one-stop shop for disaster readiness information. It looks at all the hazards that could occur in your community, how to prepare your household and small business (the Emergency Plan is transferable to non-profits) and to respond as neighbours/local community.
Emergency kits – for your home, workplace and vehicle. They should all contain food, water and supplies for a minimum of 72 hours. A week or longer is better.
Business and Employer Emergency Preparedness (BEEP) guide – This is an excellent guide released by the City of Vancouver, addressing operational continuity and staff safety – and their checklist on p.6 is
relevant to non-profits that are office-based. If you work remotely, talk to your team about preparedness tips from this list that apply.
Victoria Ready invites its residents and businesses to rethink what it means to be emergency prepared. There are similar strategies in urban centres in BC (e.g. Nanaimo, Prince George)
Regional District of Central Okanagan emergency response exemplifies disaster planning with a focus more on wildfire and flooding.
Emergency Preparedness Workbook – This is a recent example (2017) from the Mid-Island Emergency Coordinators & Managers and how a community should prepare for a disaster, and can be used as a template.
Blog Post that suggests a basic foundation for what non-profits should consider in terms of preparation (e.g. Data security and loss)
VIHA and all Health Authorities are linked into the province’s Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC). This even includes mobile hospitals .
The Disability Alliance of BC has a range of resources and training available to organizations working with people with disabilities.
BC Pharmacists on accessing medications – Medical records may be difficult to access during a disaster. Prepare by talking to your drug supplier, primary health care provider or pharmacist about how to keep an extra supply or valid prescription in your emergency kit and ensuring continuity of care.
Guidance for Non-HIV-Specialized Providers Caring for Persons with HIV Who Have Been Displaced by Disasters – This resource was created as a response to hurricanes, but has transferrable insights.
BC Hydro provides advice on how to prepare your organization for a power outage and how to manage while it is happening.