Emergency Preparedness

The Emergency Program ensures the City is prepared for and able to manage small and major catastrophic events, whether manmade or natural disasters.

Responsibilities of this program include:

• the City’s emergency management training program
• oversight of supplies and staffing of the City’s Emergency Operations Centre
• coordination of the Emergency Support Services volunteer team; and
• providing education to Staff and community on emergency preparedness.

The City’s new Fire Hall, which will be completed in 2022, will incorporate a new Emergency Operations Centre, which will allow for better response to major emergencies.

Priorities for the Emergency Program are disaster mitigation, preparation, response and recovery.

Flood Preparation

Pitt Meadows is at risk of flooding annually. The freshet period—when rivers flood due to heavy rain or snowmelt—takes place from April to July, and flooding is most common in May and June.

Learn more about steps the City is taking to prepare for floods and how you can prepare to minimize flood damage. 

Emergency Kits

What should your emergency kit include? See our Emergency Kit Checklist.

Need help with your kit? We have you covered. You can purchase a deluxe emergency kit, including everything you need to be prepared. Kits available at City Hall include: One-Person Emergency Kit; Two-Person Emergency Kit; Four-Person Emergency Kit. Compare the content of the kits here. For more information email: emo@pittmeadows.ca.

Why Prepare for Emergencies?

Being prepared allows you to:

• Take care of yourself, your family and neighbours in any disaster;
• Reduce the risk of injury or loss;
• Reduce fear and anxiety; and
• Reduce the impact of disaster on your property, so emergency responders can available to deal with major emergencies first.

Prepare for emergencies by having basic supplies on hand in an easily-accessible place in your home. In many emergency situations, responders will likely be unable to reach you and your loved ones for days.  Having the necessary supplies allows you to take care of yourself and your family for at least one week following a disaster.

What Kinds of Emergencies Should You Prepare for?

It's important to be ready for any emergency, and to prepare for hazards that may be more likely in your community. In Pitt Meadows, extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, pandemics, earthquakes and other hazards can pose a risk.  Visit Emergency Alerts & Events.

Emergencies and People with Disabilities

If you are a person with a disability or you have special needs, it is important to have an emergency plan ahead of time so your needs can be met in an emergency or you can take care of yourself, if you are unable to leave your home for a period of time.

• Establish a network of neighbours, friends and family, who can help you during an emergency or evacuation.

• Prepare an emergency kit with extra food and water, medications and other aids or items you will need specific to your disability. Find out if your pharmacy will deliver in case you are housebound.

ShakeOutBC

We all need to be better prepared for major earthquakes, and know how to protect ourselves when they happen. The purpose of the ShakeOut is to help people and organizations do both.

British Columbians "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in The Great British Columbia ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill in Canadian history!  This year, the Great British Columbia ShakeOut is on October 15, 2020 at 10:18am.  Register at shakeoutbc.ca.