This week is Emergency Preparedness Week from May 7-13. Port Coquitlam residents who want to get prepared for a disaster can look to the City for help.

Personal preparedness is a key component of the City’s EP program – the more residents can take care of themselves in the days immediately following a disaster, the more the City can focus on restoring services. While there is no way to predict how badly Port Coquitlam will be affected, severe weather events are becoming more of the norm and local residents and businesses are urged to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

Visit Quake Cottage May 13 at May Days

Want to experience what an earthquake feels like? Visit Quake Cottage at the Emergency Preparedness display at this year’s May Days at the May Days Market on Wilson Avenue (adjacent to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre) on May 13 from noon to 6 p.m.

The eight-seat earthquake simulator allows people to safely experience what a major earthquake feels like. EP staff and volunteers will also be on hand with resources and information to help households prepare for an earthquake or other emergencies.

Download the Alertable App

Residents can download the Alertable app at any time, and begin receiving Port Coquitlam alerts.

This service allows subscribers to stay up-to-date with emergency alerts – such as fires, floods, earthquakes, storms and other hazards in the community. The Alertable app can be downloaded for free through the App Store, Google Play or links at portcoquitlam.ca/alertable.

Alertable app notifications can be personalized by type, severity and sound level.

All app users receive Critical Alerts for large-scale emergencies and natural disasters, including evacuation alerts and orders.

Get Prepared

The longer residents and businesses can be self-sufficient after an emergency, the more resources the City can dedicate to restoring services, clearing roads and other response and recovery activities.
Community resources include:

• Free three-hour Community Safety Courses on personal preparedness, crime prevention and basic fire suppression, with classroom and hands-on training. Held 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 9 or Dec. 2 at No. 1 Fire Hall, 1725 Broadway St. Info and to register visit portcoquitlam.ca/ep.
• Online and downloadable information at portcoquitlam.ca/ep, including the Are You Prepared? guide for residents and Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Businesses.

For more information about the City’s emergency planning and preparedness resources, visit portcoquitlam.ca/ep or contact 604.927.5466.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca