How Powell Riverites can prepare for an emergency
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Tyson Hunt calls himself a Powell Riverite. His wife was born and raised in Powell River, and Tyson lived in Powell River from the age of 10 to 18, and considers Powell River home, regardless of where his work has forced him to call home. Tyson, his wife, and their two dogs were forced from their home and community on May 3rd in Fort McMurray, Alberta, because of a raging forest fire.
Tyson Hunt read our post titled “Don’t be that guy or gal that starts a forest fire,” and he had a few thoughts he wanted to share in regards to creating an Emergency Response Plan for Powell River families. We agreed that it was a great idea, and that it could be extremely valuable to all people, not just people from Powell River.
FortMcMurray wildfire // Photo via Premier of Alberta on Flickr
Creating an Emergency Response Plan
As individuals, an Emergency Response Plan must be relatively flexible, due to the number of circumstances of when this plan may need to be executed, and for what reason–fire, flood, earthquake, etc.
Especially in Powell River, your kids, spouse or significant other could be at a number of different events depending the time of the year, month, or even time of day (work, hockey, golf, baseball, soccer, fishing, quadding, out in the boat, up the lake, or out of town are just a few examples). Having a good idea of each family member’s individual schedules and plans will help, and knowing who they’re with, in case your plan needs to be executed. An example scenario could be someone in your family (a parent or grandparent) that does not carry a cell phone, but knowing that someone they’re with does.
When forced to evacuate due to a raging wild fire, things go from normal to chaotic within hours. In Fort McMurray, a five minute drive across town turned into a 2-hour ordeal, with gas stations lines longer than the entire length of Joyce Avenue. And that was if you where lucky to get gas before the gas ran out! Everyone has seen the news images of how dangerously close the fire came to people evacuating on the highway. If Powell River has to evacuate due a disaster, it would be much more of a challenge than most communities.
Here are some specific things to think about:
- If you’re a boat owner, ensure its well-serviced and always fueled up (That is, if you keep it in the harbour. If not, everyone in the town with a boat will be trying to launch it at the same time. Good Luck!)
- Keep spare cans of gas at all time
- Keep ATV’s fueled up and well serviced–these machines can go places your Prius won’t and could ultimately save your life
- Don’t forget to check your insurance policies. Are you under-insured? Can you afford to lose everything?
If you plan to keep a disaster kit on hand in your house, I recommend the following to be included in the kit:
- A change of clothes
- A tooth brush and tooth paste for each member of the family
- Feminine products
- Snacks (even though you won’t have much of an appetite for days)
- Lots of bottled water
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper
- Blow-up mattress/bed
- Pillows and blankets
- Any old cell phone with a charger that can be used for emergency calls
- Pet food and pet accessories, especially if you have specialty food. This could also apply to baby or children’s food and items to keep them entertained.
- Hand sanitizer
- Medications
This website also lists a number of things that would be useful in a disaster kit.
If you have time, you will want to grab your sentimental or valuable items. But at the time, you will be in a frantic panic state, so I suggest you write down a list of anything that you can not replace, or that means a lot to you, and put this list in your disaster kit. This way, if you’re lucky enough to have time to grab the items, you wont miss any.
Here are a few things that should be on your list of valuables:
- Passports
- IDs
- Any cash in the house
- Jewellery
- Lap Top
- Marriage Certificate
- Education Credentials
- Digital flash drive of photos
Depending on the specific emergency, your actions will vary. I do recommend closing all your windows and doors, turning off the furnace, shutting off your water main, taking out all your garbage and food in the fridge that could spoil, as well as any fruit or vegetable on your countertop. This is all only if you have the time to prepare for an evacuation, or if a neighbouring area is evacuated, and you feel you could be next.
Although I am a property owner in the PRRD, I have not lived in Powell River for a number of years, and am not up-to-date with the city’s current emergency response plans. I strongly suggest everyone to look into these plans, and push the local governments to make applicable changes if needed. All in all, everyone should have their own plans for their families, and take serious time in preparation. No one ever thinks it could happen to them, until it does. BE PREPARED, POWELL RIVER!
Sincerely,
Tyson Hunt
