Galiano Island Emergency Program

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK - Day 5 HELPING KIDS PREPARE Teach them about natural hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and blizzards --and what to do when they occur. Make a family emergency plan, and prepare an emergency kit together.... Teach your kids what to do in case of a fire. Make sure your kids know what to do at school if an emergency happens. HELPING KIDS COPE Children in particular can feel the stress deeply -- and may react in different ways. The key to helping your children cope is simply by being there and making them feel safe. Take their fears seriously and tell them that it's okay to be scared. Explain the events as best you can and acknowledge what's frightening about what happened. Tell your kids what you think and feel. Doing so helps them feel less alone if they know that their feelings are similar to yours. Maintain familiar routines, like mealtimes and regular bedtime hours. While parents can play a huge role in helping children deal with anxiety, it may be helpful to talk to a professional such as a psychologist or social worker, who can help children understand and cope with their emotions. For more information go to:https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/plns/mrgncychldrn-en.aspx See more

At 1.55pm today (Wednesday) You may have just received an Canada Alert Ready test on your cell phone. Note that Alert Ready is only used during large-scale disasters or emergencies where loss of life is possible or imminent. It is advised that Galiano/SGI residents also register for the CRD Public Alert Notification System (PANS) to receive a broader range of emergency alerts and notifications. See below for details EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK - Day 4... Register for SGI PUBLIC ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM The community is invited to sign up for the CRD’s newly revamped Public Alert Notification System (PANS). PANS is used to inform those who live, work, or play in the Southern Gulf Islands of major emergencies or disasters that may impact them. PANS will be used to deliver important emergency information, such as imminent threats (e.g. severe weather, power outages, tsunami) by downloading the Alertable App and/or subscribing to email, text, or phone calls. Subscribers will receive emergency updates and helpful location-specific instructions when they need them. Signing up for PANS is quick and easy and can be done from a mobile phone, tablet or computer. Click here to sign up now: www.crd.bc.ca/pans

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK 2021 - DAY 3 ANNOUNCING A NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY! Go to https://www.facebook.com/SGulfIslandsEmergencyProgramGRANT to download an application form. The Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Program is committed to building disaster resilient communities. Every individual, household, business, and neighbourhood has a key role to play. This newly created grant encourages grassroots innovation and active community participation in emergency management. ... WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? Projects may be brought forward by any Southern Gulf Island business, organization, or individual resident (including students!). Normal emergency planning and preparedness for taxpayer-funded agencies are not eligible for this program but they may apply for funding for special projects that go beyond their core mandate. TYPES OF PROJECTS: Eligible projects will help build local capacity through activities that encourage community resilience, prevention, response or recovery to a disaster. Examples could include: - Increase knowledge through training development opportunities (first aid, generator maintenance courses, etc) - Reduce fire hazards (FireSmart) - Support Emergency Kit development - Development of Emergency Plans for local businesses ELIGIBLE EXPENSES MAY INCLUDE: - Hourly wages - Equipment - Facility rental costs - Public Engagement Materials - other FOR AN APPLICATION: go to Facebook site below or email the Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Program Coordinator at: [email protected] DEADLINE for applications: May 28, 2021 See more

did you feel it? https://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca//202103/index-en.php 12:57 p.m. PDT 24 March: a minor earthquake was felt in the greater Victoria area (Sidney, Saanich, Victoria)

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK 2021 Day 2 To help you get prepared for an earthquake and other disasters - the Galiano Emergency Program is again offering the comprehensive guide PREPARE YOURSELF while supplies last (1 per family please). Email [email protected] with your name and mailing address and one will be sent to you or you can download a copy through this link: https://www.crd.bc.ca//default-source//epworkbook-ed4.pdf

COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic on Galiano - Tuesday March 23 for age 80+ and Indigenous age 65+

NOTICE OF TEST - Wednesday May 5 at 1.55pm in BC - Test of Canada's public alert system. Alert Ready is Canada’s emergency alerting system. Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices. You do not need to register for Alert Ready - it will come through automatically to compatible devices, as well as TV, radio and other media. ... In order for a wireless device to be capable of receiving an alert three broad conditions must be met. The wireless device must be: A wireless public alerting (WPA) compatible device, like a smartphone, capable of connecting to an LTE network (LTE is commonly referred to as 4G LTE); and Equipped with the latest version of its operating software; and Connected to an LTE cellular network at the time the emergency alert is issued or joins the network while the alert is still active. Older cell phones that operate exclusively on non-LTE networks will not get an alert. https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/alert-ready-wireless/ NOTE Alert Ready is independent from the CRD PANS (Public Alert Notification System) and independent of the Galiano Neighbourhood Program Telephone Tree notification system that both require free registration. Each notification system has specific criteria for which events trigger notification activations - so it is advisable to register for both PANS and the Galiano Neighbourhood Program too (Alert Ready has limited scope of events that trigger notifications). More details to follow this week during Emergency Preparedness Week on how to register for PANS and the Galiano Neighbourhood Program.

COVID-19 VACCINE: ISLAND HEALTH TAKING A WHOLE COMMUNITY APPROACH in Southern Gulf Islands Where communities with a small population (under 4,000 residents) an...d have challenges with accessibility (ie, accessible only by ferry or air or more than 3 hours ground travel from a hospital) health authorities will take a whole community approach to immunization. Depending on the size of the community this may result in the entire adult population of the community having the opportunity to be vaccinated during a single health authority visit to the community (in one day or on consecutive days), or over two health authority visits. The following Island Health communities will be vaccinated through a whole community approach and details on when the vaccination clinics will occur will be communicated in the coming days. Bamfield, Cortes Island, Denman Island, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Hornby Island, Kyuquot, Lasqueti Island, Mayne Island, North Pender Island, Penelakut, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeil, Port Renfrew/Jordan River, Quadra Island, Read Island, Saturna Island, Sayward, Sointula, South Pender Island, Tahsis, Thetis Island, Tofino, Ucluelet, Zeballos For residents over age 80 who live in these communities, if the whole community approach clinic is not scheduled prior to April 12th, Island Health will ensure you have the opportunity to be vaccinated in/close to your community prior to April 12th. Please contact the Island Health call centre during the week that you are eligible for your age group. https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-//covid-19-vaccine

Wind warning in effect for: Southern Gulf Islands Southeast winds of 70 km/h are expected Friday morning over the Southern Gulf Islands and sections of Greater Victoria near Haro Strait.... A low will approach Vancouver Island tonight. Winds will rise early Friday morning through Haro Strait and the Southern Gulf Islands, before easing near noon. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #BCStorm. https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html

We're still in a pandemic - here's an updated Pandemic Preparedness Guide from PreparedBC - https://www2.gov.bc.ca//preparedbc-guides/preparedbc_pande

Wind Warning for Southern Gulf Islands - Fri Feb 26 Wind warning in effect for: Southern Gulf Islands... Strong northwest winds 70 km/h gusting to 90 Friday. A ridge of high pressure will build off Vancouver Island on Friday and produce very strong winds over southern Strait of Georgia. Over Southern Gulf Islands and areas of Metro Vancouver near the Strait of Georgia, winds will increase to northwest 70 km/h gusting to 90 early Friday morning. Winds will abate somewhat late Friday morning but will remain strong through early Saturday morning. Gusty winds can damage soft shelters, tents and awnings at outdoor events. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #BCStorm. https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html

From all of our Galiano Emergency Program volunteers, we wish Galiano residents a very happy and safe holiday season, The holidays may look a little different this year due to COVID-19, so make the most of new memories. Stay safe, enjoy celebrations, and practice gratitude for all we have on our fabulous island (including thanks to all the workers who reconnected our phone and hydro lines this week so that we get to be comfortable at home this holiday season)... Happy Holidays!

UPDATE SAFETY Dec 22 https://www.bchydro.com//electrical-saf/safe-distance.html If you have an emergency situation do call 911. All services remain fully operational. ... Galiano Island has multiple roads and properties with hydro lines down. Assume that all downed lines are active with current and pose a danger. Even if BCHydro has deactivated the lines, many properties have generators that are running. Some generators may not be appropriately wired to the house and may generate electrical back flow into the downed main power lines creating danger to those who touch or go within 10m of a downed line. The Galiano Emergency Program, NGVFD Chief Harris and SGVFD Deputy Chief Sugden advise caution. Please remain at home if you can. Avoid crossing downed lines. If you come across areas taped off and/or with cones to divert traffic please respect the safety precautions. BC Hydro crews are on Galiano (and other islands) working hard to restore power to our residents. Practice patience as they do their work on priority areas. Stay home if you can. From BCHydro: Always assume that downed or damaged power lines are live, even if they're not sparking or making any sound. If you come across a downed or damaged line, follow these steps: 1. Stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet). That's about the length of a city bus. 2. Dial 911 and let them know that a power line has fallen or is damaged. 3. Keep others in the vicinity at least a bus-length away.

ATTENTION GALIANO ISLAND RESIDENTS - Monday Dec 21 3pm Please stay at home - i.e. stay at home for your safety. As per Fire Chief Karen Harris and Deputy Fire Chief Scott Sugden... The Galiano Emergency Program Telephone Tree has been activated to advise all residents to stay at home. Note: if you have an emergency situation, please do call 911. As a direct results of rain and heavy wet snow causing multiple trees and lines down across roads you are advised to remain at home. There are multiple road closures on Galiano Island due to active power lines down across roads and trees down. For your own safety, please do not venture out. Avoid driving over /near downed hydro lines. Hydro crews are on the way. No eta for deactivating downed lines, or for power restoration at this time. Prepare for an evening without power. If you have internet access you can monitor the BCHydro outage website to track eta at https://www.bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-list.html

Power out on most of Galiano due to fallen trees and hydro lines down. Porlier Pass Road is blocked south of Gustin, and Sturdies Bay Road is blocked at New Road. Traffic is possible through Bluff Park, with care due to road conditions.

Power out north of Clanton Road. Hydro site says crew assigned. No ETA.

Please take care today - the roads will be slick (rain and possibly some snow). https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?bc51