Document: Emergency Preparedness - What Every Senior Needs to Know

The diverse climate in the province of British Columbia accounts for a variety of potential disasters. In an emergency, phone lines, gas, electricity, and water services can be disrupted for an extended amount of time. Services that we take for granted will be interrupted – for instance, roads may be blocked, stores and gas stations may be closed, ATM machines broken. The best way to mitigate the damage and discomfort is to be emergency-prepared. For the millions of Canadians with physical and cognitive disabilities, fires and floods and disasters such as earthquakes present a real challenge. Emergencies and disasters can strike quickly and without warning and could result in an evacuation of your home or neighbourhood. The question you need to ask yourself is, “What will happen if I do not have water, heat, electricity or telephone for up to one week?” You and your families play an imperative role in preparing for an emergency when services may prove to be unavailable. This guide will help you get started to being emergency-prepared, keeping in mind that you will need to discuss possible solutions with your family, caregivers and support network. Make sure you share this plan with them so that everyone is on the same page in the event of an emergency.

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