Neighbourhood Emergency       Preparedness Program

The purpose of this exciting new program is to take Emergency Preparedness into the area where it will be most effective – our City, communities, neighbourhoods and homes. We will accomplish this by helping neighbourhoods identify their skills and resources and organize them to be used in case of a disaster. Every participating neighbourhood is organized into a team of seven Response Units that are trained to handle situations caused by a disaster. The goal is to prepare your neighbourhood to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours after disaster strikes.

Facilitators have been trained to conduct two Neighbourhood Program meetings with citizen groups and then to act as consultants as those groups develop their response plans.

 

Phase One - Personal Preparedness:

The content of the first meeting will focus on individual preparedness, including how to:

Minimize existing hazards in the home
Acquire and store supplies required in an emergency
Act quickly and appropriately in an emergency
Prepare for evacuation from home or neighbourhood
The concept of neighbourhood response units will be discussed as well as strategies for the recruitment of neighbours to establish Neighbourhood Teams.

Phase Two - Neighbourhood Preparedness:

The optional second meeting focuses on the Neighbourhood Program Team Organization, including the responsibilities and skills required for the Response Units that make up the Neighbourhood Team. Response units include: 

Team Leadership
First Aid
Utilities and Fire Suppression
Light Urban Search and Rescue
Communications and Transportation
Shelter and Care Giving
Damage Assessment

As neighbourhood teams progress along the path to preparedness reviews and exercises will be carried out culminating in an annual event designed to help keep the program alive.

This program is offered courtesy of the Surrey Emergency Program, which is administered by the Surrey Fire Service and consists of volunteer members from Search and Rescue, Emergency Social Services and Surrey Emergency Program Amateur Radio. The program is offered at no charge to any neighbourhood, schools, or interested groups and organizations in Surrey, please call 604-543-6795.