Last weekend, the gym at BICS was packed with education, products and professionals focused on emergency preparation. The breaking of the ferry gate was not quite an emergency, but it did prevent a group of anticipated off-island presenters from attending.
One of the event’s organizers, Amanda Ockeloen of Life Savers First Aid Training and Supples says even the high winds are a reminder to always be prepared.
“I don’t believe in surprises,” she says. “Only preparation.”
Number one on her list for emergency preparation tools is knowledge.
“Imagine a situation where someone is unconscious and nobody is doing anything, because they never got around to taking that fun and dynamic first aid class, even though they intended to,” says Ockeloen. “The Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada believes that basic first aid, should be an essential condition of citizenship, sort of an informal law of good Samaritanship. I can’t help but agree.”
Discussions about being prepared continued at the Bowen Island Economic Development Committee’s Business Summit on Tuesday evening.
Bowen’s Emergency Program Co-ordinator, Jen Mcgowan reminded people that in the case of a major disaster such as an earthquake, it is important to be personally prepared.
“If you and your household are not prepared, you will be a burden on others,” she said. “And getting the necessary help within 72 hours is overly optimistic, so make sure to have food for at least a week.”
In this situation, the NERP program (Neighbourhood Emergency Response People) program, which is currently being revived by Robyn Fenton and Denise Richards, should make a big difference. Keep an eye out for neighbourhood meetings on this, as well as an island-wide meeting about NERP in late-spring/early summer.
