Environmental Action on Thetis Island, BC, Canada
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EMERGENCY PLANNING on Thetis Island


INTRODUCTION

    There are three levels of emergency planning and preparedness on Thetis: the Fire Department (including First Responders), ESS (Emergency Social Services) and LERN (Local Emergency Response Neighbourhoods). The Fire Department is the first place we turn in the event of personal emergencies – accident, injury, illness, fire – by calling 9-1-1. Information about the Department is available on-line at their website, www.thetisislandfire.ca, or by calling the duty officer at 252-0228.

    In the case of more general emergencies – like earthquakes, wildfire, extreme storm damage – the ESS team can be called into play. The Community Centre, Forbes Hall, would become the meeting place for information and, where evacuation is required, for help in relocation and emergency billeting. They strongly recommend personal preparedness, and can supply information on how to achieve this. More information about ESS and personal preparedness can be found below.

    Another source of help in larger emergencies is the LERN system. Thetis has been divided up into “neighbourhoods” of a manageable size, with a loose organization of volunteers who will check on those within their area to be sure they are safe and able to look after themselves, or be the first stage of help if they are not. These neighbourhoods and their area captains are listed here.

    Each of these groups is made up of volunteers, and they welcome anyone willing and able to help. Please consider joining one.

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General Structure of Emergency Planning -
from the Federal level
to on-the-ground on Thetis Island
Chart illustrating the levels of Emergency Planning in Canada

There is an increasing number of disasters happening worldwide, and one message keeps coming through - people need to be personally prepared to take care of themselves in a disaster.  Those that are prepared, fare so much better than those who are not prepared.  We can no longer afford to think that it "won't happen to us."  The odds are great that some kind of emergency or disaster will happen here sooner or later.

 

 Foundation - Personal Preparedness

There are some very simple and inexpensive things that you can do to prepare yourself and your family.  We have been very fortunate here so that's all the more reason to do what it takes to become prepared now rather than taking our chances and expecting others to rescue us when the time comes. Check with your neighbourhood captain and get some help with your grab-&-go bag, be prepared.

Level 2 - LERN Neighbourhood Preparedness

Statistics show that 80% of our help comes from our neighbours.  Do you know your neighbours?  Have you even met and introduced yourselves?  

The Local Emergency Response Neighbourhood (LERN) Program has been adapted for Thetis Island. You have a designated LERN Captain for your area (see below). In seven simple steps, here is the revised LERN Program:

1.       Talk to the neighbours closest to you (about 10 homes) and ask if they want to become prepared for emergencies

2.       Call 746-2500 to ask for a presentation - can be done in someone's yard or home

3.       Invite your neighbours to attend (flyers provided)

4.       Come and find out how to prepare and get your questions answered

5.       Challenge each other to get prepared and share great ideas and finds

6.       Map important information about your neighbourhood

7.       Sign up for the free training provided and continue developing your community spirit

Now you're ready to help each other get through an emergency or disaster when it happens!

Level 3 - Community Preparedness (ARES/ESS/SAR)

Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) provides critical emergency communications during disaster.  Interested? Call your area LERN Captain or the managers of ESS;

Mary Forbes 246-2276 or Petra Accipiter 246-2096.

Emergency Social Services (ESS) provides evacuees with registration and provisions for the necessities of life (food, clothing, lodging, and family reunification) during the first 72 hours.

Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers are trained to search for lost individuals and to rescue them.  As an adjunct for the RCMP, SAR teams are called out for a variety of incidents and respond as needed and directed by the RCMP.

Businesses and Schools also need to do emergency planning to take care of their staff &/or students during a disaster.

Level 4 - Local Government

Local Governments are responsible for overall emergency planning, response and recovery for their communities.

Level 5 - Provincial Emergency Preparedness (PEP)

PEP provides overall emergency planning, response & recovery on a provincial level and supports the efforts of local governments.

Level 6 - Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Canada provide overall emergency planning, response & recovery at the federal level for the nation of Canada and supports emergency planning, response & recovery in the provinces.


The GRAB-&-GO BAG
Here are some excellent suggestions for various kinds of "Grab & Go Bags" from Emergency Social Services in Vancouver:

Home Pack

Be prepared to be on your own without help for 72 hours or more-at home, in your car or at work. Assemble these emergency supplies and keep them in your emergency kit, stores in a secure place, ideally accessible from outside.

  • Shelter-plastic tarp or small tent
  • Food-non-perishable, canned and dehydrated food, dried fruit and canned juices. Rotate periodically to keep fresh.
  • Manual can opener
  • Water at least 4L per person per day
  • flashlight and batteries
  • radio and batteries
  • medication and special needs supplies
  • toiletry items
  • fire extinguisher
  • wrench (crescent or pipe)
  • running shoes
  • glove, outdoor/winter clothing
  • waterproof maches, candles
  • money, including coins
  • sleeping bag
  • garbage bags
  • rope, heavy tape
  • crowbar or prybar
  • a buddy for children - teddy, game, etc
Vehicle Pack

Keep these items in a separate pack in your vehicle, you should have a separate pack for each vehicle in your household. Also be sure to always keep your gas tank at least 1/4 full.

  • booster cables, tools
  • bottled water-at least 4 L
  • canned food, dried fruit, nuts and a manual can opener
  • outdoor clothing and backpack
  • sleeping bag and blankets
  • first aid kit, medication
  • flashlight and batteries
  • waterproof matches, candles
  • toilet tissue, towelettes, baggies
  • money, especially coins
  • map of your home region
  • pen/pencil and paper
Office Pack

Keep these items in a separate pack stored in a convenient place in your office, handy to walk home or to safety.

  • gloves, heavy shoes, outdoor clothing
  • emergency blankets
  • flahlight, radio, batteries
  • whistle
  • dried fruit, nuts, high-energy food bars
  • small photos of your family and friends
  • piece of paper with your name, address and medical information
Evacuation Pack

Keep these items in a separate pack which each person would take individually if you have to evacuate.

  • food-dehydrated, dried friut, high-energy bars, etc., enough for 72 hours
  • first aid kit and booklets
  • survival manual
  • flashligh and batteries
  • money, including coins
  • photos of family and friends
  • gloves and other warm clothing
  • bottled water - ideally 12 L
  • cooking utensils
  • portable radio and batteries
  • medications and toiletry items
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LERN on Thetis Island

Map showing the LERN (Local Emergency Response Neighbourhoods)

Map showing the Local Emergency Response Neighbourhoods
 

To know which neighbourhood a particular lot is in, consult the local directory, or download a more detailed map (2 mb).

The Neighbourhood Captains are:

BH - Blue Heron
Captain - Ann Eriksson
Phone: 250-246-8176

MH - Moore Hill
Captain -
Phone:

CB - Clam Bay
Captains - Virginia & Andy Lamb
Phone: 250-246-9770

MV - Meadow Valley
Captain - Gio Boso
Phone: 604-306-6564

CUF - Cufra Inlet
Captain - Stephanie Cottell
Phone: 250-246-5269

NCE - North Cove End
Captain - Ernie Hunter
Phone: 250-246-2181

DR - Dragon Rock
Captain - Karen Michie
Phone: 250-246-1887

NFD - North Forbes Drive
Captain - Simone Luckham
Phone: 250-246-4802

FP - Fraser Point
Captain - Doug Darling
Phone: 250-246-2557

PLA - Plateau Road
Captain - Gerhard Wanney
Phone: gerharps@gmail.com

HBL - Hollyberry Lane
Captains - Pat & Frank English
Phone: 250-246-9899

POR - Porlier Road
Captain - James & Hortenza
Phone: 250-246-4968

LAW - Lawrence Road
Captain - Bev Greene
Phone: 250-246-3895

PPAN - Pilkey Point Almost North
Captain - Bev Greene
Phone: 250-246-3895

LES - Lower East Side
Captain - Gök & Suzanne Sarioglu
Phone: 250-246-9965

PPN - Pilkey Point North
Captain - Vicki Walker
Phone: 250-246-9126

LFP - Lower Foster Point
Captain - Myrna & Rodney Brownlee
Phone: 250-246-4303

QF - Quack Farm
Captain - Claire Hess & Veronica Shelford
Phone: 250-246-9945 or 250-246-1509

LM - Lower Meadows
Captain - Petra Accipiter
Phone: 250-246-2096

SP - Sunrise Point
Captain - Wendy Hinsberger
Phone: 250-246-8055 or 250-882-2759

LNC - Lower North Cove
Captain - Mercy Howard
Phone: 250-246-4420

UFP - Upper Foster Point
Captain - Ellen & Keith Rush
Phone: 250-416-0013

LPP - Lower Pilkey Point
Captain - Noah Bond
Phone: 250-246-6736

 

LUP - Lupin Property
Captain - Anne Glommen
Phone: 250-686-1018

UFR - Upper Forbes Road
Captain - Donna Stadt
Phone: 250-246-3141

MFD - Middle Forbes Drive
Captain - Dell Mitchell
Phone: 250-246-3030

If you have any comments, suggestions, additions or deletions, please contact us.

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