Sign up for the CRD Public Alert Notification System (PANS) to receive alerts with emergency information in your community. PANS is available to residents living in CRD Electoral Areas.
In Case of an Emergency
Dial 911
Volunteer
Apply to be a volunteer for Juan de Fuca Emergency Support Services (ESS) and be trained to respond swiftly when an emergency or disaster strikes. Whether it's heatwaves, fires, or tsunamis, ESS Volunteers help people locate temporary shelter, access food, find clothing and get information during both small and large-scale emergencies.
Juan de Fuca experiences damaging winter storms, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and other hazards. Your risk depends on the location you live and the places you frequent. Understanding hazards near you and preparing for them can keep you and your loved ones safe.
Individuals and families should be prepared to take care of themselves for at least 72 hours.
Know the risks: Knowing the risks and hazards can help you and your loved ones prepare for the unexpected. For more information, see the hazards in our region.
Make an emergency plan: A plan will help you cope with the stress of an emergency or disaster.
Build an emergency kit: By taking a few simple steps you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies. Don't forget to include your pets when building your kit.
Being prepared is not only about having the right supplies. Your ability to recover from unexpected situations also relies on your connections to others.
In many cases, community members such as neighbours, co-workers and friends in the affected area are first on-scene.
If you or your neighbours could require additional assistance during an emergency, develop a plan together beforehand.
If you are not familiar with your neighbours, consider reaching out and making those connections.
Consider joining your neighbourhood POD program to increase your resiliency during an emergency
Financial preparedness
In all emergencies or disasters, you can reduce stress by being financially prepared.
Speak to an insurance agent about your specific needs.
Know your insurance options and policy limits. Make sure your home, vehicle, business and belongings are protected. Talk to your insurance agent to learn about what is not covered in your insurance policy.
Have a copy of important financial and insurance information on a protected thumb drive and keep in your go-kit in case you are evacuated or need to leave unexpectedly
If you can, keep emergency cash handy in case banking services are unavailable.
If you are evacuated, keep all receipts for additional expenses for your insurance claim.
Prepare a detailed list of all your belongings. For more information, see Home Inventory.
Know the 7 steps for making a home insurance claim. For more information, see Claims Management.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is ready to answer your questions. Connect with them by email or by telephone 1.844.227.5422. For more information on insurance preparedness visit IBC.
Protect your pets
Create a Grab-and-Go bag for your pet: A pet carrier stocked with essential supplies for a quick grab ensures your pet will have what it needs.
Have a phone list of animal shelters, veterinarians and kennel facilities that could house your pets if needed.
Create a buddy system with a neighbour in case one of you are unable to return home to pick up your pet.
In the case of an evacuation, never leave your pet behind.
Emergencies can cause serious harm to people, property, the economy and the environment. Make sure you know who to call and what to do during an emergency or disaster.
How to protect yourself and your loved ones during an emergency or disaster will depend on the hazard. If you experience life-threatening emergencies, make sure to always call 911.
During large scale emergencies, it is important to try and reduce the number of calls going to First Responder Agencies. Instead, follow the directions of the CRD and use the appropriate channels to gather information instead of overwhelming 911 services.
Shelter-in-place
Authorities may direct you to shelter-in-place. If this happens, you should stay where you are and follow their instructions.
Evacuation alerts and orders
An evacuation alert warns the public of threat that could lead to an evacuation order in the near future. If an alert is issued, you should prepare to evacuate on short notice. In general, you should not evacuate until you have been ordered to. Voluntary evacuations can cause confusion and evacuation costs will not be covered.
An evacuation order is used when the public must leave an area for their own safety. You will notified directly by the CRD’s PANS system or First Responders if you are being ordered to evacuate.
Stay informed
Directions from authorities can vary based on the emergency. They can also change very quickly.
Ensure you are monitoring the alerts you receive through the CRD’s Public Alert Notification System App so you can always be up-to-date with the latest information.
If you’re able to, check the Emergency Dashboard to view active alerts across the region.
If you're able to check your community’s website or social media channels to see what updates they are posting, including the Juan de Fuca Emergency Program Facebook Page.
Connect with neighbours
If something happens in your neighbourhood, ask yourself these questions:
Who might need extra assistance?
Who can you ask to check on your pets?
Who is first aid-certified?
Does anyone have any equipment that could be helpful? I.e. a generator?
If there is time
In some cases, authorities will give instructions on how to protect your home. They could ask you to shut off water, electricity or gas. Do not shut off your utilities unless directed to do so.
Let your out-of-town contact know what is happening in case you are separated from loved ones.
Add anything that you may not have already packed to your grab-and-go kits (identification, child’s favourite stuffed animals, animal leashes)
Emergency Support Services
There are a number of services that the CRD and partners can help provide during an emergency.
A few of the many services offered include:
Emergency food, clothing and shelter, including group lodging
Emotional support
Linkages to other resources
This information will be sent out by the emergency program either by PANS or the Juan de Fuca emergency program Facebook page. It is important to stay informed and know where to go to get accurate and timely information.
The lingering effects of unexpected emergencies and disasters are different for everyone. Knowing what to do after an emergency can help reduce stress and aid in a quicker recovery.
Recovery is a process
The process to repair and restore your life after an emergency or disaster is not easy and takes time, flexibility and patience.
Examples of recovery include:
Removing waste and debris
Contacting your insurance company
Replacing lost or destroyed documentation
Finding a new home
Getting mental health support
Find out where your community will post information on support and recovery after an emergency. It will help if you can bring some of the information you will need in the recovery stage with you during an evacuation – such as identification and photocopies of financial, or insurance paperwork.
Re-entry
If you had to evacuate, you won’t be able return home until authorities declare that it is safe to do so. Use caution when you return.
Do not enter your home or property if:
An expert has not deemed it safe to do so
Any part of the structure has collapsed or there are cracks
The structure is off its foundation
The main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding
Having a sense of community and people you can lean on is an important part of recovery.
Reach out to your neighbours and friends to find out how you can support each other.
Research shows that communities with strong relationships recover faster.
Your mental health
Disasters can affect people in many ways. Sometimes we have emotional responses right away and sometimes they show up days, weeks, months or even years after.
Feelings of stress are normal, but some people can experience more severe distress and may require help.
Monitor yourself and your loved ones for signs of distress, which could include:
Difficulty sleeping
Emotional outbursts
Anxiety
Depression or unexplained physical issues
If any of these signs appear, make sure to talk about them and seek advice from a professional.
Recovery Assistance
Recovering from a disaster is difficult. There are programs in place to help you and your family begin the process.
Visit a Red Cross Support Center or call 1.800.863.6582 (Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm PST) to make an appointment
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) can provide answers to individuals and businesses with insurance questions and concerns by calling 1.844.2.ASK.IBC (1.844.227.5422) Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm PST
Call the Ministry of Children and Family Development at 1.877.387.7027 to access services for children, families and caregivers, including child and youth mental-health services
Are you interested in helping our community in a valuable way?
Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a provincial program that runs locally through the Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Program to deliver short-term (72 hours) support services to the public in an emergency.
On the Southern Gulf Islands, we depend on volunteers to coordinate the basic needs of islanders who are displaced from their homes because of an emergency. Volunteer responsibilities may include:
Coordinating the provision of food, clothing, and lodging
Providing personal services such as emotional support, counselling, or special needs
Assisting with pet care
Opening and participating in group lodging or reception centre facilities, as needed
Providing in-person or online registration and referrals for support
Providing information to help reunite families
We are grateful for the volunteers who provide this valuable service, and we are currently looking for new members who are:
18+ years of age and in good health
Strong communication skills
Technically sound with using a computer
Adaptable and willing to learn, training is provided
Compassionate and have a genuine interest in people and supporting them
Available for response
This program is essential to our community’s resilience and well being. ESS is the people side of emergency response. It is a meaningful way to support your community, meet people, and can be a stepping stone towards a career in Emergency Services.
If you are interested in joining our team or learning more about this program, please email us at sgiepc@crd.bc.ca
The CRD conducts its business within the Territories of many First Nations, all of whom have a long-standing relationship with the land and waters from time immemorial that continues to this day. Statement of Reconciliation
