Lions Bay ESS event an earth-shaking success
As a part of this year's Great BC ShakeOut earthquake preparedness event, Lions Bay Emergency Support Services (ESS) staged their first Great Lions Bay Water Giveaway.
The event was designed to remind residents of the need to prepare themselves and their families for a serious earthquake in this seismically-active zone.
Supported by a number of volunteers, ESS manager Mary Brown stood in the Lions Bay Store parking lot, handing out water, information and advice throughout the day on Thursday.
They gave away water in four-litre bottles because, as Brown explained, it's "the amount needed for each person every day if the taps stop working."
But having enough bottled water on hand for at least 72 hours is just the start. Full details of what should be contained in every family emergency kit can be found HERE.
"The turnout was great," Brown said afterwards. "We ran out of water by 5:30 p.m. and had to turn away several people."
She and her team spent the day sharing preparedness education tips as they helped load water bottles into vehicles. Brown reported that residents asked many questions about how to most effectively prepare their families for an emergency or disaster.
"One person confessed that she hadn’t really prepared her family for a disaster because thinking about it frightened her. I told her, 'Don’t be scared, be prepared!'"
Brown suggested that the resident prepare and review bite-sized chunks of a family plan. "Little by little, bit by bit. And instead of making it all her responsibility, she should sit down with her family and begin to make a plan together. Make it fun and interactive. Listen to all the ideas around the table. That way each person can take ownership of a piece of the plan."
By the time things wrapped up, ESS had given away 296 four-litre bottles of water, as well as all the emergency rain ponchos and single-use five-year water pouches they had on hand.
After the event, Brown thanked volunteers (and former mayors) Ron McLaughlin and Douglas Miller, along with local residents Roel Court and Vanessa Wright. She also offered kudos to Lions Bay store manager Lynn Jacobs for organizing the water delivery and sharing the store parking lot for the event.
Brown said ESS is considering running a similar event in the spring as another reminder for local residents that being prepared for emergency is always a good idea.
Have thoughts to share about preparing for an emergency?
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Many thanks to Mary Brown -manager of ESS, all her volunteers and to store manager Lynn Jacobs for their time and cooperation in staging the first Great Water Give-away. We are so fortunate to have these people looking out for us.