News Release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The Saanich Emergency Program (SEP) invites residents to take part in Emergency Preparedness Week from May 4-10. This year’s theme is In it together. 

True preparedness is about more than just about supplies; it's about united communities—individuals, neighbourhoods, organizations, and government—working hand in hand to respond and recover more effectively. During this special week, led by Public Safety Canada, provincial and territorial emergency management organizations and others, we encourage residents to work together and take simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies.

“Experience shows that coordinated teamwork and planning goes a long way to help people enhance their resilience - both during and after a major disaster,” said Captain Erin Stockill, Emergency Program Officer. “In times of emergency, knowing your neighbours can make all the difference. By taking simple, concrete actions this week, like connecting with your neighbours and discussing emergency planning, you will be better prepared and safe during a disaster”

This week, we encourage you to take tangible steps to become better prepared. Introduce yourself to your neighbours, discuss local hazards, preparedness levels, and any specific needs within your vicinity.

Building community preparedness

Through the Neighbour to Neighbour Resilience Initiative (N2N), the District of Saanich offers supports to projects brought forward by residents aimed at addressing emergency preparedness, climate action, and caring for nature at a neighbourhood scale. To learn more about how your group can access a $500 community grant, visit saanich.ca/n2n.

Even if you don’t have a project idea already, you can bring a neighbourhood group together for a workshop series with Saanich staff to help you and your neighbours get to know each other and collaboratively design a project.

The N2N program accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

 
 Tips to get started from the Saanich Emergency Program:

1. Get to Know Your Neighbours: Building relationships with those living around you helps create a support network. Exchange contact info and share special skills or resources.
2. Create a Community Emergency Plan: Work with your neighbours to identify local risks and needs. Make sure everyone knows their role in an emergency.
3. Assemble a Preparedness Kit: Ensure you have enough food, water, and supplies for at least 7 days. Remember essentials like medication and first aid kits.
4. Practice Makes Perfect: Conduct regular drills with your neighbours to stay sharp and ready.
5. Up your Game: Host a Preparedness 101 presentation for your neighbourhood or strata, go the extra mile by hosting a Neighbour Helping Neighbour (Preparedness 201) facilitated workshop. Contact 250-475-7140 or email sep@saanich.ca for more information.

Get ready with us!

Preparedness 100 - The Saanich Emergency Program invites you to attend an upcoming Emergency Preparedness Speaker Series presentation on May 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Saanich Commonwealth Place (SCP).

SEP is hosting Lee Archibald, Emergency Management Specialist for BC Transit, who has spent that past 15 years in wildfire and emergency management developing a deeper understanding of local, regional, and provincial capacity to support safe and effective evacuations – both for isolated incidents like an apartment fire and for mass evacuations from disasters such as wildfires and floods. Lee will explain his role in building an Emergency Management Program with BC Transit designed to proactively support and collaborate with all communities and stakeholders.

Register online or call SCP reception at 250-475-7600.

Preparedness 101 - Invite a family member, colleague, friend or neighbour to join you for the next Preparedness 101 presentation, May 14^th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at SCP. This 90-minute presentation offers the information you need to prepare yourself and your family to survive on your own for at least seven days after any type of disaster. Each household participating in the presentation will receive a free informational workbook to help with emergency planning. Register for this presentation online here or call reception at Saanich Commonwealth Place at 250-475-7600. 

Additional learning opportunities:

There are lots of free activities that support your learning throughout Emergency Preparedness Week and beyond:

• Volunteer with the Saanich Emergency Program! Join us on May 27 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a Volunteer Information Session at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. No experience is necessary, we provide all training. Register online or call Cedar Hill Recreation Centre reception at 250-475-7121. 
• Visit our YouTube channel and watch our videos on breaking down barriers to preparedness and how to make your very own dry toilet!

Find more information about the Saanich Emergency Program at saanich.ca/prepare or on X @SaanichEP and @SaanichFire.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca