Emergency Readiness & Response Emergencies can happen anywhere and at anytime. That is why ensuring your family and community is prepared and ready to respond when a disaster strikes is so crucial.
Wildfire is a risk that all British Columbians need to be prepared for. FireSmart is available to help you get started and recommend proven steps toward protecting your home and our community from wildfire. Each of us hold the power of prevention. FireSmart offers the resources that enable us to take necessary steps now that can save your home in a wildfire emergency. Request an Assessment for your home..
Get Faster Help and Financial Support During Emergencies by Pre-registering. If you ever need to evacuate due to an emergency such as flooding, wildfire, or a major fire, you can access support faster and more easily.
By setting up your ESS profile in advance through the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) system, you can receive essential supports—including accommodation, food, and financial assistance — without delay. Registered evacuees can have financial supports sent directly to their bank accounts via Interac e-Transfer.
Sign in using your BC Services Card App and follow the registration instructions
In an emergency, follow all official evacuation alerts and orders
For detailed instructions, visit ERA-Evacuees.embc.gov.bc.ca/Registration-Method.
If you need assistance with online registration, call the BC Evacuee Helpline at 1-800-387-4258.
Create an Emergency Plan
Before a disaster strikes, we’ve outlined some important steps you can in advance of an emergency to prepare yourself, your home, and your family.
Make a Household Emergency Plan
Creating an emergency plan will ensure that you and your family know what to do, who to call, and how to get important information during an emergency. These fill-in-the-blank guides will walk you through an emergency plan for your household.
The most immediate help following an emergency will come from those directly around you—your neighbours. Connect with them today and work together to build a plan for your neighbourhood.
Be equipped to support yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours after an emergency. Remember, following a devastating event, it could take days, or even weeks before services are fully restored, or you’re able to safely return to your home. You can purchase ready-made kits from a number of local and online suppliers, or you can begin to assemble one yourself from extra items you already have at home. The lists below will help you identify your needs. Learn how to make an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag from Prepared BC.
While creating your emergency plan, consider additional needs for members of your household living with a physical, medical, sensory or cognitive disability. Important information might be needed for their caregivers to manage medications, medical equipment and more.
Pets in an Emergency In the event of a disaster or evacuation, your pet may be displaced. Having a plan in place beforehand can greatly reduce the stress of worrying about your pets’ needs during an emergency.
In the event of an emergency, the BC SPCA supports pet guardians and keeps animals safe. For information on evacuee services and emergency pet boarding, the BC SPCA Animal Helpline 1-855-622-7722 is the first point of contact for anyone inquiring about emergency animal services.
Shelter in Place
A shelter in place order means you must stay inside to protect yourself during an emergency.
1. Go indoors immediately and stay there
2. Close all windows and doors 3. Turn off the furnace, air conditioners and exhaust system 4. Listen to the radio or TV for more information
Evacuation Stages
Evacuation Order:
You are at risk. Leave the area immediately. Local police or RCMP enforce evacuation orders.
Evacuation Alert:
Be ready to leave on short notice. If you leave before or during this alert, it's called a voluntary evacuation.
Evacuation Rescind:
All is currently safe and you can return home. Stay tuned for other possible evacuation alerts or orders.
Prepared BC offers downloadable guides and fill-in-the-blank plans to help you prepare for emergencies. For hazard-specific guides in French, Chinese and Punjabi visit Prepared BC emergency guides and resources.
