Emergency Preparedness Week

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5 to 11 in 2024, and is a great time to learn about getting prepared for emergencies.

Using technology in emergency management

Technology plays a part in all our lives, in one way or another, which is why this year's theme for Emergency Preparedness Week is "Using technology before, during and after emergencies."

Technology is used in many ways to help us mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Examples include:

• satellites that forecast weather
• maps showing real-time wildfire information
• infrastructure that prevents flooding
• broadcast intrusive emergency alerts

Check back here during Emergency Preparedness Week for some new ways we will be embracing technology for emergency management!

Register for our webinar

Join our 45-minute webinar on May 9 at 5:30 PM to learn how to prepare for emergencies, as well as some of the ways you can use technology to help.

All participants will be entered to win a 4-person emergency kit! Deadline to register for the webinar on Zoom is May 8 at 11:59 PM.

Get prepared with our tech tips

Emergencies can happen at any time, and there are things we can do to make sure we are better prepared to respond.

Know the hazards in your community

From earthquakes and tsunamis to wildfires and floods, hazards vary from region to region. Knowing the hazards that are most likely to happen in your community can help you focus your preparedness actions, navigate disruptions and get you back to regular activities sooner.

Tech tip: Use the Prepared BC hazard map to see what emergencies could happen near you!

Make your emergency plan

Emergencies can be stressful. An emergency plan says how you and the people you live with will respond during an emergency. Having a home emergency plan will help you stay calm, connected, focused, and safe during an emergency. 

Tech tip: Stay tuned for the launch of the Prepared BC online digital home emergency planner! In the meantime, check out the fill-in-the-blanks Home Emergency Plan that you can download and print off at home or contact your First Nation or local government office to get a copy.

Build your emergency kit and grab-and-go bags

After an emergency, you may need to:

• Stay at home with an emergency kit or
• Leave immediately with a grab-and-go bag

Check out our basic supply list. Add items based on your specific needs, and don’t forget to include stuff for your pets.

Tech tip: Sometimes the best technology is the kind that has been around for a while, like pens, paper, and batteries. Be sure to include these in your kit and bags!

Share your preparedness tech tips

Let us know your tips for preparing for emergencies! Be sure to reach out and follow Prepared BC on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.