Personal preparedness

Earthquakes and other emergencies can happen without warning.

You can take steps today to prepare and stay safe during these emergencies.

The City is preparing, are you?

Personal preparedness is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play. Planning for emergencies doesn’t need to be hard, and the good news is you are already more prepared than you think.

Review the steps to preparedness or watch the video to get started.

Know your hazards

Every community has the potential to experience emergencies or disasters. The first step in personal preparedness is to know the hazards which could impact you where you live, work, and play.

The Pacific Coast is the most earthquake-prone region in Canada, and with climate change, severe weather like extreme heat or rain will be more frequent. Learn more about what kind of hazards could affect Vancouver
Make your plan

It’s as simple as starting a conversation with your loved ones.

A home emergency plan can help you get started, such as the Prepared BC fill-in-the-blanks home emergency plan . We also offer Neighbourhood Emergency Planning Program (NEPP) sessions in community centres across the city.

Your plan should be unique to your needs, and include a family meeting place, emergency contacts, and medical and insurance information.
Gather your supplies

Important services like water and gas are not a guarantee after a major disaster such as an earthquake. Having the right supplies on hand will give you peace of mind, safety, and comfort during an emergency. Start with what you have and see what is left to gather.

Learn more about the kinds of items you should have at home, in your car, or at the office
Stay informed
Get to know your neighbours

Resilience starts in your own backyard. In an emergency, neighbours are often your first responders.

Being prepared isn’t just about what supplies you have, it’s about the people around you and how you can work together in an emergency. Find out how you can help your neighbours and the skills, assets, and resources your neighbours may be able to provide in an emergency.

Learn more with PreparedBC’s Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide (2.6 MB) and Guide for Apartments, Condos, and Townhomes (2.6 MB)

There are 25 Disaster Support Hub locations designated across the city that provide a perfect place to not only meet, but for communities to support each other by sharing information, expertise, tools, resources, and more before and during disasters.

Learn more and find your nearest Disaster Support Hub