Rob Johns has a tough task.

As Emergency Coordinator for the City of Victoria, it’s his job to educate local politicians and citizens on surviving a major disaster. The tough part is getting Victorians to take emergency preparedness seriously. Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3 – 8, 2010) was created to bring awareness to the issue.

Unlike calamity-prone states like Florida and California, southwest British Columbia has been relatively disaster-free in modern times. The last major conflagration in Downtown Victoria affecting multiple structures was the massive Five Sisters Block fire 100 years ago. Unfamiliarity to disaster gives way to complacency and Johns feels the lack of preparedness and dearth of trained post-disaster volunteers means Victorians could be in for a tough time after a major quake or other disaster.

Quake Risk

Most experts seem to think a major subduction quake—the type of long, rolling shaker that causes catastrophic damage—has about an 11 per cent chance of occurring in this region within our lifetime. And Johns says a new report due for release later this year states the most likely target on Vancouver Island is the Victoria region.

The as-yet unrestored Johnson Street Bridge is one of two lifelines connecting the Downtown region with Victoria West. Seismic rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge is under consideration. The boxed triage unit that once sat between the bridge and the Northern Junk buildings was relocated to Saanich. Photo by Robert Randall, © VibrantVictoria.ca.

The Victoria Emergency Management Agency maintains a website with tips on what to do before, during and after an emergency. Households should plan for a couple of days of self-sufficiency. In the event communication lines are disrupted and relatives are unable to contact each other VEMA recommends families set up an in-town meeting place and an out-of-town contact number.

Is Downtown Prepared?

Scattered throughout various locations in the Victoria area are eight shipping containers, each filled with a variety of items essential following a major catastrophe—50 cots, 100 blankets, lighting, a generator, and basic first-aid gear. One on Menzies Street in James Bay is known for its colourful mural. Two are in Victoria West in the event the Johnson Street Bridge is unable to serve as an emergency supply route. One container was located beside the Northern Junk buildings on Wharf Street until it was relocated to Topaz Park in Saanich several months ago following complaints about the area around the container being a magnet for social disorder and the inability to find a suitable alternate location nearby. Although Downtown has lost its container, Johns is quick to point out planners intend that help will be no more than a ten-minute walk away for most residents. The exact location of any triage centres won’t be publicized before a disaster, as officials don’t want people congregating at a structure that could be structurally unsound. Instead, Johns strongly suggests residents invest in a battery or wind-up powered radio for official updates on where to go if aid is needed.

For more information on emergency preparedness go to the website of the Provincial Emergency Program or the City of Victoria’s VEMA page. To discuss emergency preparedness on the VibrantVictoria.ca discussion forum, click here.

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