The Strathcona Regional District is rolling out its refreshed and simplified Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) Guide.
The program helsp ensure communities are ready in case of disaster.
“The Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program is an important step forward in building resilient communities and supporting each other after a disaster or public emergency,” says SRD Board Chair Mark Baker. “With these updates, we’re hoping to create self-reliant communities where neighbours are checking on each other and making sure we’re all ready to handle whatever disaster may come our way. I extend my gratitude to the NEPP volunteers who put in hundreds of hours throughout this project.”
NEPP plans are designed by neighbourhood teams to be as basic or detailed as your community would like. Simple tasks such as a list of your neighbours, their contact information, and a map of your neighbourhood can bring a community closer and make a big difference when a disaster strikes,” says SRD Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman “Most initial disaster relief is provided not by formal organizations, but by residents of the impacted area and surrounding communities.
Although the NEPP focuses on disaster preparedness, communities are encouraged to use the NEPP structure to enhance other important neighbourhood-driven initiatives such as community safety, food security, and FireSmart.
NEPP Highlights:
- NEPP fosters social connections and mutual assistance within a neighbourhood setting.
- For several days after a major disaster, help from neighbours may be the only help available. It’s important to build those relationships beforehand so everyone is prepared, should a disaster occur.
- Research shows that in a disaster, people working together have a better chance of survival than individuals acting alone. They also recover much faster emotionally.
- It is important to be prepared to be self-sufficient during emergency situations with emergency kits and water and have proper plans in place for family and pets.
Visit www.srd.ca/emergency-preparedness for more information.
To learn more about SRD’s Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) and guidelines for establishing an NEPP in their area, residents can visit www.srd.ca/nepp.
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