Plan for an emergency with your family

You and the other members of your family might not be together during a disaster or other emergency. It is important to have a plan that will help you communicate and find each other after the emergency.

You also need to make sure that every member of your family knows what to do if they are at home alone during an emergency.

Create a family emergency plan, and then review it with your family regularly - every six months, when the clocks change - to make sure that everyone understands it and remembers it.

What your emergency plan should include

When you create your family emergency plan, you should:

  • Identify objects in your home that could be dangerous during an emergency
  • Plan evacuation routes from every room in your home
  • Pick two meeting places where you and your family can get back together if you get separated - one close to your home, and one a little further away
  • Ask an out-of-province relative or friend to be your family contact person
  • Prepare your emergency kits
  • Teach family members how to turn off utilities, use a fire extinguisher, and call 9-1-1
  • Make arrangements for seniors and family members with special needs
  • Save digital copies of important documents - such as birth certificates and financial records - on a memory stick, or make photocopies of them

Learn more about making a family plan

Get started: Emergency preparedness and planning worksheet (208.22 KB)

Start the steps to emergency preparedness with this one-page fillable worksheet.

Take or request a free emergency workshop

Take a free workshop in your local community centre, and learn how to prepare for earthquakes and other emergencies. Or request a free workshop for your business or community group.

Emergency safety kits

Emergency safety kit

Did you know there is a 1 in 3 chance of a major earthquake in Vancouver within the next 20-50 years?

Be prepared, by creating emergency safety kits filled with supplies you will need if you are forced to evacuate your home.

Get instructions

Contact the Office of Emergency Planning

Phone: 604-829-4375

emergency.management@vancouver.ca