Departments > Victoria Emergency Management Agency > Emergency Preparedness Information > Resources for People at Increased Risk

Resources for People at Increased Risk

The Victoria Emergency Management Agency is continually looking for ways to support emergency planning for those in our community who face increased risk in disasters. People who are at greater risk in a disaster are usually those whose situational and physical characteristics increase their susceptibility to harm. This can include people with mobility limitations, language barriers, medical dependencies, and those who need support to maintain their independence.

Below is a list of online resources on emergency preparedness for those who are at increased risk in a disaster. Links to specialized planning guides and websites for organizations who serve at risk populations are also provided.

If you know of any additional resources we should include or if you would like to arrange a presentation on emergency preparedness for a community group, please contact us at vema@victoria.ca

Download the poster - [PDF 163KB]

BC School Earthquake Planning

• School Earthquake Safety Guidebook - Ministry of Education British Columbia (2000) - [PDF 566KB]

Community Organization Planning Guides

• Service Continuity Planning Guide for Community Based Organizations - Community Council (2009) - [PDF 175KB]
• Ready for Crisis: Health Emergencies and the Voluntary Sector
  The SARS epidemic in 2003 clearly illustrated the immense contribution the voluntary sector can make during an emergency. The Voluntary Sector Project arose out of this crisis and aims to increase emergency response capacity in the voluntary sector, strengthening Canada's overall disaster response.
• Non-Profit Emergency Preparedness, Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness
  This organization is dedicated to increasing community resiliency through emergency preparedness programs that drive individuals, small enterprises and non-profit organizations from awareness to action.

Cultural Diversity

• National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities
  The Center provides concrete and practical resources and information on effective risk communication strategies, education and training, and research on advancing preparedness for culturally diverse communities.

Disability Planning Resources

• BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD)
  The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) is working collaboratively with a broad network of disability organizations and people with disabilities to build relationships with the emergency management sector.
• Inclusive Emergency Preparedness Canada
  IEPC is a partnership between the March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Red Cross and the Inclusive Preparedness Center to provide disaster preparedness training and resources to people with disabilities in Canada.
• Workplace Emergency Planning For Workers with Disabilities - A Handbook for Employers and Workers (2008) - [PDF 3.9MB]
• Learning C-MIST: Train the Trainer, Helping Individuals with Disabilities Create Emergency Preparedness Plans (2008) - [PDF 619KB]
• Provincial Emergency Program - Preparedness Information for People with Disabilities
  This website includes a helpful series of fact sheets:
  • Preparedness Tips for People with Disabilities - [PDF 72KB]
  • Tips for Mobility Disabilities - [PDF 43KB]
  • Tips for People with Visual Disabilities - [PDF 43KB]
  • Tips for the Hearing Impaired - [PDF 44KB]
  • Tips for People with Communication and Speech Related Disabilities - [PDF 33KB]
  • Tips for People with Cognitive Disabilities - [PDF 42KB]
  • Tips for Service Animals and Pet Owners - [PDF 43KB]
  • Self Assessment Checklist - [PDF 40KB]

Homelessness

• The Homeless Hub: Pandemic Planning and Homeless Research Team
  This website includes a collection of helpful resources specific to homeless populations and pandemic planning.

Women's Services

• It Can Happen to Your Agency - Tools for Change: Emergency Management for Women's Services (2001), Ending Violence Association of BC - [PDF 907KB]

Presentations

Please check back here for future presentations.

Workshops

In 2009, VEMA completed a survey of Victoria's community based organizations and found that the majority recognized the importance of emergency preparedness, but lacked the knowledge and resources to complete their emergency planning. A Service Continuity Plan enables an organization to continue to serve their clients even if they suffer an interruption from an emergency event such as a flood, fire, or a high rate of absenteeism caused by influenza.

SITE Strategic Inclusive Training for Emergencies Workshop

Does your current emergency plan address the disability-specific needs of your staff and clients? Are you meeting your WorkSafe BC requirements for emergency plans? Do your emergency evacuation procedures ensure safe egress for everyone at your worksite? The Victoria Emergency Management Agency offers workshops on how to evaluate the safety of your work site; how to adapt emergency plans to include people with disabilities and seniors; how to meet your WorkSafe BC obligations; and how to determine your staff needs and resources.

Please check back for future workshop dates.

• SITE Strategic Inclusive Training for Emergencies - Brochure - [PDF 293KB]

[back]