Be Prepared, Not Scared-On Both Sides Of The Border
Release Date: April 29, 2005
Release Number: R10-05-046
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Next week (1-7 May) is Emergency Preparedness Week throughout Canada, with British Columbia sponsoring Province-wide emergency supplies checklists, help/ok cards and media kits with messaging and articles on emergency preparedness. It is also National Arson Awareness Week throughout the United States, focusing on: “School Arson—A Burning Subject,” as this year’s theme. May is traditionally National Volcano Awareness Month in the U.S. and Animal Disaster Preparedness Day is observed 14 May.
Why the sudden emphasis on emergency preparedness? According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, it’s not “sudden,” but a level of urgency is always appropriate when dealing with emergency preparedness issues, and calendar observances like these can help spur well-meaning procrastinators to action.
“Planning is not the same as prediction,” said Pennington. “Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, and winter storms will occur here -- eventually, causing varying degrees of disruption and injury, even death. Acts of terrorism, or industrial disasters may strike close enough to home to warrant mitigation measures. The same independence and peace of mind provided by preparing for probable natural hazards will stand everyone in good stead in the event of less likely ‘exotic' events.”
British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program Executive Director Bob Bugslag agrees. “Wildfire, earthquakes and tsunami risks are things to prepare for—not live in fear of,” said Bugslag. “Disasters tend not to respect national borders, and we work closely with our U.S. counterparts to ensure mutual support plans are in place before disaster strikes.”
British Columbia and U.S. coastal states share similar weather patterns and seismic hazards. Canadian emergency management officials join their U.S. partners in urging residents to maintain family emergency plans, and stock emergency kits with water, food and medical supplies for 72-hours, or until help arrives.
Last Modified: Friday, 29-Apr-2005 13:09:52