The Girl Scout’s motto is “be prepared,” to help where needed, even in an emergency. This came to mind as I contemplated my own preparedness. Here in Halfmoon Bay, we see the evidence of the wildfires through the haziness of our skies and the low air quality. We read about the precautions to be taken when venturing outside, to protect ourselves and our vulnerable population. We experience the unfolding tragedies from afar.
As I read about the devastation in Maui, the suddenness with which their lives were forever changed, the evacuations in Yellowknife and in B.C. in West Kelowna and other towns, I asked myself, “Am I prepared?” If a fire were to consume my neighbourhood, what would I do? Would I be ready to flee at a moment’s notice? We hear about the experiences of others, we are empathetic, but don’t you find that in the back of our minds is that niggling little thought that “it won’t happen to me, that won’t happen here, we are ready.” But are we?
I looked up the B.C. government website (bc.ca/gov) build an emergency kit and grab and go bag page and discovered that I have exactly three things...#1 a flashlight with dead batteries, #2 a finicky manual can opener and #3 a can of water chestnuts. As I wrote down the list of items that I do not have, it was a wake-up call. I am not remotely close to being prepared! I am the complete opposite of being prepared. I was telling my friend Elaine about it the other day at dinner and it must have resonated with her because, when I ran into her at the market on Saturday, she told me she had begun to assemble her Grab and Go Bag. Me? I haven’t even started! And I’d better get on it because, once you readers realize you’re in the same boat as me, there’s going to be a run on hand-cranked radios! (You can find local emergency preparedness information at scrd.ca/Services.)
I live in a friendly neighbourhood we residents have dubbed “Eurekaville.” Such an uplifting name – “Eureka! A cry of joy or satisfaction when one finds or discovers something.” Yah, well, this is not a cry of joy, this is a cry for my fellow neighbours to come together and make a plan (the BC government’s “In It Together: Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide” says, “It’s as easy as 1-2-3”). Are you with me? You know where I live, let’s talk!
On a less sombre note…are you prepared for the HBCA’s final Lazy Daze on Friday, Aug. 25?! Your Lazy Daze Grab and Go Bag should include your dancing shoes! Grab your kids, dogs, friends and family and head to Coopers Green Park! Music starts at 4 p.m. $10/each; free for HBCA members. Stick around at 8:30 p.m. for our first ever movies in the park. Details are on the HBCA’s website www.halfmoon-bay.ca.
