Personal Preparedness

Know your hazards

Emergencies can happen at any time. In Coquitlam, hazards may include earthquakes, fire / wildfire, flooding, extreme heat, winter weather and storms, pandemics / disease outbreaks, power outages, landslides and hazardous materials incidents.

Knowing the hazards in your area is the first step to getting prepared. Think about the places you spend time most often, including home, work, school, transit routes and recreation areas. Consider how an emergency could affect your household and the people and pets who live in it. 

Make a plan

A household emergency plan helps everyone know what to do when something unexpected happens. Talk with the people you live with and agree on how you will communicate, where you will meet and who can help if you are separated.

Your plan should include:

  • Contact information
  • Emergency Meeting Places
  • Medical and Health information
  • Insurance information
  • Utilities information
  • Landlord or Property Manager 

Keep a printed copy of your plan, along with copies of important documents, in an easy-to-find place and share it with household members. Review and update it at least once a year or whenever your contact information, health needs or living situation changes.

Gather your supplies

In the event of an emergency you may need to shelter-in-place or you may need to evacuate, possibly on short notice. Prepare both a home emergency kit and a grab-and-go bag to ensure that you are prepared for both scenarios. 

Your household emergency kit should include supplies for at least 72 hours, though it is recommended that you prepare for up to two weeks. Include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid supplies, medications, personal hygiene items, phone chargers, cash, seasonal clothing and supplies for pets.

A grab-and-go bag is a smaller kit you can take if you need to evacuate quickly. Keep one for each household member and store it somewhere easy to reach. Include identification, key documents, medications, glasses, phone chargers / battery packs, snacks, water, seasonal clothing and comfort items.

Preparedness does not have to happen all at once. Start preparing your kits with what you already have, add items over time, and check expiry dates regularly. Taking small steps now can make a big difference during an emergency.

Insurance

Homeowners, landlords and renters are strongly encouraged to get insurance. Insurance can help you recover after an emergency, providing coverage for repairing your home and replacing your belongings. For more information about the types of insurance available, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada. 

Evacuation

Some emergencies may make require you to evacuate your home, potentially on short notice. 

Depending on the severity of the situation, an Evacuation Alert or Order may be issued. It's important to understand the difference and to always follow the advice and direction of the City and first responders. 

  • Evacuation Alert: If an evacuation alert is issued for your area you should be ready to leave on short notice. 
  • Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately. Choosing to remain puts yourself and others in danger. Proceed to a safe space such as a hotel, a family or friend’s house, or an ESS reception centre. 
    • Tactical evacuation: A sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings. Follow the directions of emergency personnel (ex. RCMP, Fire Rescue, Search and Rescue).
  • Evacuation Rescinded: The risk to life and safety has now passed and you may return home.

Visit the People with Disabilities page for more information on how people with disabilities can become better prepared for an emergency or disaster.

Resources