Canada Emergency Preparedness for the Blind, Deafblind and Partially Sighted Community
AEBC’s BC Affiliate has taken the lead on a project to improve emergency preparedness for blind, deafblind, and partially sighted individuals. Thanks to their initiative this project has helped start a conversation about how personalized emergency plans can save lives and reduce stress during crises.
In our recent webinar, Chantal Oakes, President of the BC Affiliate and Treasurer for the National Board shared practical tips and strategies for creating emergency plans tailored to individual needs. You can listen to the video above and refer to this page for downloadable resources and links to further information.
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Emergency Plan Downloads
Your Personal Emergency Preparedness Plan Template
Tips for Filling Out the Personal Emergency Preparedness Plan Template
Online Resources
Federal Resources
Get Prepared – Government of Canada
Get Prepared is the government of Canada’s main website for emergency preparedness. The site includes extensive information to understand the risks in your area, create a household emergency plan and build an emergency kit. The guides are provided both in pdf and as text-based webpages.
Government of Canada website that lists recent significant earthquake reports, map of earthquakes in the last 30 days, and other information on earthquakes.
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FireSmart leads the development of resources and programs to help Canadians increase resilience to wildfire.
Emergency Preparedness and Recovery – Canadian Red Cross
Essentials tips from the Red Cross on how to be better prepared and to recover from emergencies.
Alertable is a mass notification software created for emergency and communication managers. Critical alerts are issued for severe events so that residents and communities are aware and can prepare for an event. The system can be used on a computer or download the Alertable app for your phone or tablet. Available in iOs or Android.
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Alert Ready - Cellphone Emergency Alert System
Alert Ready is Canada’s emergency alerting system. Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices. The Alert Ready system was developed with many partners, including federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers. Together, these partners work to ensure Canadians receive alerts immediately and know when to take action to stay safe.
Provincial Resources
​BC Public Emergency Preparation & Recovery
This page provides a number of resources including knowing hazards and making a plan, preparing emergency supplies, what happens in an evacuation, and financial assistance after a disaster.
Emergency Education Programs and Toolkits – BC Government
This page provides education and awareness materials for the general public, resources for teachers, community events, and social media kits.
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Alberta Emergency Preparedness
Ontario Emergency Preparedness Guide
For people with disabilities living in Ontario. ​​
Municipal Resources
Check your local municipal office websites for information on emergency preparedness and shelters. Not all municipal websites list this information so you may have to contact offices by phone. Tune to your local radio station during significant events to find out what’s happening and any local instructions to guide you and keep you safe. The link below lists local municipality websites.
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City of Vancouver Website Emergency Preparedness Information
Video and other information on knowing your hazards, planning and supplies, disaster support hubs, and staying informed.
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Calgary Emergency Preparedness
Good information with a special page specifically for people with disabilities.
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Emergency Kits & Supplies
We recommend you start with a pre-made kit and then add personalized items to better serve you and your household’s unique needs. You can find great first aid kits at your nearest hospital or pharmacy, such as Red Cross. They also tend to be affordable. Here are some links to online kits for purchase.
72 Hour Emergency Kit Survival Kit
St. John Ambulance Online Store
Audio & Video Resources
A catastrophic earthquake hits Canada's West Coast. In Fault Lines CBC Vancouver Seismologist Johanna Wagstaffe guides you through two disastrous scenarios so you can prepare yourself, your family, and your neighbours.
These videos detail the steps Canadians in the blind and partially sighted community should take to be prepared for emergencies. Each video is approximately 3 minutes, with a total of 20 videos.
A complete, step-by-step manual for safely sheltering-in-place at home so you are prepared for any disaster or disease.
CELA Audiobook: Are You Ready?: An In-Depth Guide to Disaster Preparedness
By Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of Homeland Security
Everything you need to know to prepare for and recover from dozens of natural and man-made disasters and threats
A complete, step-by-step guide to preparing yourself and your community to aid first responders during a disaster situation.