Post Disaster Safety Assessment Program Coming to B.C.

With the recent earthquake in the Napa Valley, we are reminded of the need in BC to be prepared for an emergency event. Earlier this year, BC’s Auditor General published a report that BC is underprepared for a major earthquake. Download the report here: BC Auditor General’s Report from March 2014. 

We all know the 72 hour rule, that each household should be prepared to take care of themselves and their family for a minimum of 72 hours. This includes food, water and basic first aid. 

As architects, we also need to consider how our projects will withstand an earthquake and inform our clients of what they can expect, post-disaster. The standards set out in the BC building code will not guarantee a usable building after a major event. 

Resilient Design is a way to frame a conversation with your clients and stakeholders about how they want the project to perform in not only the event of a disaster, but over time with challenges such as climate change. 

2014 AIBC Annual Conference:
Post Disaster Safety Assessment Program Training Workshop

At the AIBC conference this year, session T10 on Thursday afternoon will have Darren Davis from New Zealand discuss the lessons learned from the earthquakes in Christchurch in 2010 and 2011. 

The AIBC is currently working to establish a training and certification program in BC, in line with the CalEMA Safety Assessment Program (SAP) established in the United States. 

At the AIBC Conference, sessions W1 & W2, we will be offering the first opportunity to train individuals interested in being volunteers in this program. Architects, Intern Architects, Architectural Technologists and other interested individuals are invited to attend: Wednesday October 8^th, 8.30am – 5.00pm. 

To register and for additional information:
http://www.aibc.ca/ac2014/program/

Workshops in your municipalities:

Architects can also participate as post-disaster volunteers to assists municipalities and regional districts in quickly assessing buildings for damage. This is critical, as getting people out of shelters and back into their homes, as well as getting businesses up and running is key to recovery. 

Use the links below to access information and find workshops in your local municipalities.  Look out for Emergency Preparedness Week, in early May each year. 

Lower Mainland:
Abbotsford
Burnaby
Coquitlam
Delta
Langley (City & Township)
Maple Ridge
New Westminster
North Shore (City & District of North Vancouver, West Vancouver)
Port Moody
Richmond
Surrey
Vancouver
UBC 

Outside Lower Mainland:
Central Okanagan
Haida Gwaii
North Okanagan
Prince George
Prince Rupert
Sunshine Coast
Vancouver Island – Capital Regional District
Victoria

Additional Resources:
Metro Vancouver
Emergency Management BC
EMBC Key Agency Links 

Is your area missing? Google your municipality or regional district and “emergency preparedness” to find out more.