Are you ready? Steps we can take today to prepare for emergencies

It’s hard not to feel gutted by the wildfires burning across our province, country and around the world. To those with family and friends affected, we’re thinking of you and hoping for their safety.

One of our priorities is public health and safety, and right now emergency preparedness is very much on our minds.

Steve Sorensen spent more than 30 years with the fire department, including as Sooke’s Fire Chief. Today, Steve and Helen Ritts both volunteer with Emergency Support Services (ESS), which trains volunteers to help their communities during disasters.

One thing this experience reinforces is that the more we can do before an emergency, the better.

Here are a few things we can all do now to prepare:

• Sign up for the Alertable app. It’s the fastest way to receive local emergency information in Sooke.

• Pack a grab-and-go bag, including medications and pet supplies.

• Get the BC Services Card app to make receiving emergency financial assistance easier if you qualify.

• Check your home insurance to understand your evacuation and living-expense coverage. ESS may provide short-term assistance when insurance isn’t available.

• Make a family communication plan - where you’ll meet, who you’ll contact and how you’ll stay in touch.

• Keep your vehicle ready, fuelled or charged, with water and phone chargers handy.

• FireSmart your home. Clear gutters and dry vegetation and move combustible materials away from your house.

• Check on your neighbours, especially those who may need some extra help.

We hope we never need these plans. But being prepared and knowing our neighbours are looking out for one another is a very Sooke thing to do.