-
When the storm comes, we turn to each other: A story from Salt Spring Island
Contributed by Tine Rossing, Disaster Risk Reduction Analyst at Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and Salt Spring Island volunteer Pod coordinator. Preparing for emergencies is more than gathering supplies. It’s about social connection. A strong sense of trust and belonging before an emergency means people can rely on each other when one occurs.…
Categories: Preparedness
-
What to expect at a High Ground Hike, and why it’s worth joining
If you live, work, or spend time in a coastal community in B.C. you may have heard about High Ground Hikes taking place during Tsunami Preparedness Week.
Categories: Preparedness
-
Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award
Nominations are now open for the 2026 to 2027 Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award Across British Columbia, emergency management practitioners, volunteers and community leaders help keep people safe, build resilience and protect what we value. Through all four phases of emergency management – mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery – their efforts touch all of us.…
-
Community Spotlight: Ukuleles, group lodging and an emergency training exercise
The Community Spotlight series highlights communities, organizations and individuals using innovative approaches to build resilient communities. Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centres and group lodging facilities are set up during evacuations, providing evacuees with safe shelter, information and support. In order to be ready when it matters most, ESS teams need real-world practice. Read on to learn…
-
Guest post – tips for hosting an emergency preparedness neighbourhood meetup
My name is Rachel Schoeler. I work as a Public Education Officer with the PreparedBC team at the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. I recently moved to a new neighbourhood in North Vancouver. After I felt the earthquake on February 21, 2025, it got me thinking about my neighbourhood connections, or more realistically,…
Categories: Preparedness
-
Don’t sweat the unexpected: preparedness tips for summer travellers
Summer is right around the corner which means it’s time to prepare for weekend adventures and longer road trips to visit family and friends. Whether you plan to stay local or explore other areas of B.C., make sure you’re ready for changing conditions. Trip essentials Keep the focus on fun by planning ahead for potential…
Categories: Preparedness
-
Community Spotlight: CoastSmart – know before you go
The Community Spotlight series highlights communities, organizations and individuals using innovative approaches to build resilient communities. CoastSmart is a public education program on Vancouver Island’s west coast. It helps residents and visitors understand shoreline hazards and encourages respect for the ocean. Know your hazards before heading out on your next road trip Tofino and Ucluelet…
-
Community Spotlight: High Ground Hike 2025
The Community Spotlight series highlights communities, organizations and individuals who are taking innovative actions to help build resilient communities. This year 28 communities are hosting High Ground Hikes to practice their tsunami preparedness. Port Edward and Huu-ay-aht First Nation hosted their first High Ground Hikes in April and are already looking forward to next year.…
-
In it together during emergencies
Being prepared is more than gathering supplies for emergency kits and grab-and-go bags. It is about working together to better respond to and recover from emergencies as a community. Emergency Preparedness Week is the perfect time to reflect on not only how prepared we are as individuals, but how we can support those around us.…
Categories: Preparedness
-
Indigenous-led Emergency Support Services
To learn more about Emergency Support Services (ESS) for Nations, which includes 15 mainland Coast Salish Nations dedicated to strengthening the capacity of Indigenous communities in emergency response, we spoke with co-founders Christina Kelly, Emergency Program Manager at Leq’a:mel First Nation, and Jenna Noppen, Disaster Recovery Manager at Sumas First Nation. Christina and Jenna were…
Emergency Management & Climate Readiness Blog