Media Release - March 7, 2018

Media Release - March 7, 2018

Emergency Management Oceanside

Oceanside Emergency Preparedness Expo 2018 - April 28

To help residents be better prepared, Emergency Management Oceanside (Town of Qualicum Beach, City of Parksville and Regional District of Nanaimo) are hosting Emergency Preparedness Expo 2018.
Who: Everyone living in the Regional District of Nanaimo
What: Emergency Preparedness Expo 2018
When: Saturday, April 28 from 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
Why: Be aware, plan, prepare and survive!

Expo 2018 offers something for everyone and it's all free!

More than thirty first responders, government agencies, emergency supply vendors, utilities and emergency partners will host a variety of activities to help emphasize the importance of taking steps to improve emergency preparedness and response. Displays, demonstrations and workshops to learn about the challenges we face in an emergency and how to be better prepared. Everyone welcome! The Parksville/Qualicum Shrine Club will have food services available on site for the day, including pancake breakfast and lunch.

FREE drop-in workshops

For those who would like more in-depth information about preparedness in general, free workshops (30-45 minutes in duration) will be offered:
  • 10 to 11 am - Fire Safety for Homeowners (local fire departments)
  • 11:30 am to 12:30pm - Adventure Smart: Stay Safe on the Trails (Michael Addiscott)
  • 1 to 2 pm - Home Insurance 101 (Insurance Bureau of Canada)
  • 2:30 to 3:30 pm - Age and Health Factors for Preparedness (Health Emergency Management BC)

FREE half-day workshops (registration required)

Pre-registration is required for the half-day workshops to emergencyservices [at] rdn.bc.ca (emergencyservices[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) or 250 390-6759
9 am to noon
Post-Earthquake Rapid Damage Assessment (Sybille Sanderson Collaborative Consulting)
Learn advanced skills to identify unsafe conditions in wood frame, masonry and concreteconstruction caused by floods, earthquakes or windstorm and to assess damage to determine whether buildings can be occupied.
1 to 4 pm
Disaster! Surviving the First Few Hours (Michael Addiscott)
Being prepared involves much more than just having an earthquake kit. Learn to use the tools at your disposal to keep you and your loved ones safe

Experience Shake Zone

Shake Zone is Canada's only mobile earthquake simulator, designed to provide an experience of what it would be like to go through a major earthquake, while in a safe, controlled environment. Shake Zone simulates the motion, ground force acceleration, S-Wave action, and sound of a large-scale, magnitude 8.0 earthquake. During the 35 second simulation, there is a video of a dramatized earthquake, realistic rumble sounds, as well as an ability to experience the potential hazards of falling objects. Children age two and older may participate with a parent or guardian. Operators will answer questions before and after the simulation and work to ensure the experience is meaningful to all.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND?

Are you prepared for an emergency? If the answer is "no", then we encourage you to stop by Expo 2018. Whether you are just curious, casually interested or someone who is seriously prepared, there is something for you at this Expo. Disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face.

For more information, please contact emergency program coordinators:

Rob Daman | Town of Qualicum Beach | 250 752-6232 | rdaman [at] qualicumbeach.com (rdaman[at]qualicumbeach[dot]com )
Aaron Dawson | City of Parksville | 250 954-4672 | adawson [at] parksville.ca (adawson[at]parksville[dot]ca)
Jon Wilson | Regional District of Nanaimo | 250 390-4111 | jwilson [at] rdn.bc.ca
Emergency Management Oceanside - City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, Regional District of Nanaimo
www.parksville.ca | www.qualicumbeach.com | www.rdn.bc.ca