Emergency Preparedness: We All Have a Role to Play

Our thoughts are with the communities, families and individuals across British Columbia who are experiencing challenging circumstances and responding to wildfire emergencies in their own communities.

While Sooke is not currently impacted, events happening around the province, and across the border in Washington State, are a reminder that emergencies can happen quickly and that their impacts can extend well beyond the immediate area.

They are also a reminder of the strength that comes from communities coming together, looking out for one another and supporting those who may need additional help.

Emergency preparedness is not something any one person, organization or level of government can do alone. It is an all-of-community effort. Each of us has a role to play — preparing our households, staying informed, checking in on neighbours and helping build a community that is better able to respond and recover when an emergency occurs.

Stay informed with Alertable

One of the simplest ways to prepare is to make sure you can receive timely information when it matters most.

Residents are encouraged to download Alertable, the District of Sooke’s public alert notification system. Alerts can provide important information during emergencies and help residents understand what is happening and what actions may be required.

Download Alertable and learn more at Sooke.ca/alert.

If wildfire smoke impacts Sooke

Wildfire smoke can travel significant distances, and conditions can change depending on the location of fires, weather and wind patterns. Even when there is no wildfire in or near Sooke, smoke from fires elsewhere can affect local air quality.

If smoke reaches our community, residents can take steps to reduce their exposure:

• Check the local air quality and monitor changing conditions.
• Limit time outdoors and reduce strenuous outdoor activity when smoke levels are elevated.
• Keep windows and doors closed when outdoor air quality is poor, if indoor temperatures allow.
• Use a properly sized and maintained air cleaner, ideally with a HEPA filter, to help improve indoor air quality.
• Create a cleaner-air space in your home where you can spend more time if smoke persists.
• Check on neighbours, friends and family, particularly people who may be more vulnerable to the effects of smoke.
• If you have a medical condition or take medications that may be affected by smoke exposure, follow the advice of your health-care provider.

Prepare your household — and check on your neighbours

Take some time to review your household emergency plan and make sure you have what you need to be self-sufficient for at least several days.

Check your grab-and-go bags and ensure they are easy to access and up to date. Consider the needs of everyone in your household, including children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets.

Preparedness also extends beyond our front doors. Consider reaching out to neighbours, friends or family members who may need additional support during an emergency. A simple conversation today can help us understand who may need assistance, how we can stay connected, and how we can support one another if normal services are disrupted.

Make your home FireSmart

Wildfire preparedness is another important part of building a resilient community. There are practical steps we can all take to reduce wildfire risk around our homes and properties.

Residents are encouraged to explore FireSmart resources and consider actions such as keeping roofs and gutters clear of combustible debris, managing vegetation around the home, and making informed choices about landscaping and building materials.

Small actions, taken across many properties, can make a meaningful difference. Learn more about FireSmart practices and resources at FireSmartBC.ca.

Preparedness is community care

Being prepared is not about expecting the worst. It is about caring for one another and strengthening our collective ability to respond when circumstances change.

A resilient community is one where people are connected, informed and willing to help one another. Government and emergency responders have an important role, but so do businesses, community organizations, neighbours, families and individuals.

As we watch our friends and neighbours across B.C. and Washington State navigate difficult events, let their experiences remind us of the importance of being ready — not just for ourselves, but for one another.

Preparedness starts at home, grows through our neighbourhoods, and strengthens our entire community.