Your EMO eNews

April 12, 2023

PARKSVILLE - QUALICUM BEACH

COMMUNITY UPDATE

It's Tsunami Preparedness Week!

During Tsunami Preparedness Week (April 9-15), coastal communities around the province highlight the importance of tsunami preparedness.

BC’s coastal communities are divided into five tsunami notification zones. Our Oceanside communities are in Tsunami Notification Zone E. Although Zone E is low risk for tsunamis, it is still important to know how to recognize when a tsunami is possible. Tsunamis are often caused by earthquakes which happen deep under the ocean floor. The shaking causes a series of powerful waves to travel across the open ocean, amplifying as they move. The immense force behind tsunami waves can cause devastating destruction when it reaches land.

If you are near the ocean and feel an earthquake, immediately move inland to high ground, and stay there until you are told it is safe by the local authority. When a tsunami is imminent, water levels often recede extremely quickly, much faster than a regular tide. If you haven’t felt an earthquake, but see the ocean level rapidly decreasing, leave the area and head inland to high ground away from rivers and estuaries.

When tsunami warnings are made, they will broadcast over television, radio and mobile devices through BC’s emergency alert system. In Oceanside, EMO may also release notifications through Voyent Alert!, social media and local authority websites. Some communities may have tsunami sirens or other tsunami notification procedures. It is a wise practice to be aware of the tsunami notification zone and procedures of any coastal community you visit. Look out for tsunami hazard zone signs and evacuation maps posted in areas at high risk of tsunamis.

Tsunami Notification Zones

Emergency Preparedness Week – May 7-13

Emergency Preparedness Week is a national event which takes place during the first full week of May, this year from May 7 to 13. During the week, communities across Canada take the time to think about how everyone can get involved in emergency preparedness and the small steps we can all take to increase individual and community resilience.

EMO is a partnership between the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach to provide large scale emergency and disaster support to the Oceanside community. During this year’s EP week, we are asking you to get involved by developing a household emergency plan. The process takes less than an hour and can be completed in sections over the week. Visit the EMO website for many great emergency preparedness resources.

Download the MIECM Emergency Preparedness Workbook

Shaw Spotlight Videos

EMO has teamed up with Shaw Spotlight to develop some short emergency preparedness videos that highlight the easy steps we can all take to prepare for the first few days after an emergency or disaster and to display some of the dedicated EMO volunteers in our communities. Keep an eye out on the City of Parksville and EMO websites and social media for links to the videos when they are released in Emergency Preparedness Week!

Home Emergency Kits - Water

In March, we collected the storage container for our home emergency kits. This month, your task is to gather three days supply of water for each member of your household. A safe estimate is four litres of water per person per day to meet all food preparation, hydration, and hygiene needs. So, to be prepared for 72 hours, you will need at least 12 litres of water for each person in your household.

You may choose to buy commercially bottled water or to bottle water yourself. If you choose to bottle the water yourself, it must be treated and stored in accordance with public health suggestions to ensure it remains safe to drink for the duration of storage. Water may be disinfected through boiling, distillation, chemicals, or commercial filtration. It is also important to choose food-grade water storage containers which are sanitized before filling with water.

Commercially bottled water can be kept in a cool, dark place until the expiration dates marked on the packaging.
Home-bottled water should also be stored in a cool, dark place and replaced every six months.
Follow this link for safe chemical disinfection ratios using household bleach.

Gather a three-day supply of water for each person in your household. Allow 12 litres per person for 72 hours of food preparation, hydration, and personal hygiene. Don’t forget to add extra for your pets!

1 person = 12 litres

2 people = 24 litres

3 people = 36 litres

4 people = 48 litres

5 people = 60 litres

6 people = 72 litres

JOIN THE TEAM!

If you are interested in joining the Oceanside Emergency Support Services (OESS) or Oceanside Emergency Communications Team (OECT), contact Chris James at [email protected] or 250 937-0448. Previous emergency support services or emergency communications experience isn't necessary as we provide you with the necessary training.

GET NOTIFIED DURING A LOCAL EMERGENCY

Emergency Notifications

In the event of an emergency, one of the ways Emergency Management Oceanside may notify you is by using alerts sent through Voyent Alert! notification system. This system allows community members to register online to receive messages relevant to their community through email, app, text message, or voice call. Registration for Voyent Alert! is free. Go to register.voyent-alert.com to sign up today.

Contact Kate at [email protected] or 250 954-4672 if you have any questions about the system or registration process.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Town of Qualicum Beach

Town Hall is open to the public with full services. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm (except statutory holidays). Although the office is open, residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the other payment options including payment through your financial institution; mail a cheque; or drop off a cheque at Town Hall drop box (location below). If you do wish to visit Town Hall to conduct business, masks are recommended while in the building.

Email
Phone
Post
Mail Slot
Websites

[email protected]

250 752-6921

PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach V9K 1S7

Out front of Town Hall, near the fountain

qualicumbeach.com

qbfirerescue.com

In accordance with public health orders from the Province of BC, the public is welcome to attend to in-person Council meetings. Council and select staff will attend in person, capacity limits will be monitored, and if required, alternative viewing location(s) will be provided.