Are you ready for the big one?

The ninth annual Regional Emergency Preparedness Fair returns to ensure residents are ready should a natural disaster or major emergency strike.

Emergency vehicles, supplies and equipment will be on display at Juan de Fuca Senior Activity Centre at West Shore Parks and Recreation showcasing the pillars of emergency management: preparation, mitigation, response and recovery.

B次元官网网址淧repare today,  survive tomorrow... Basically it speaks for itself,B次元官网网址� said Tom Burchill, director of Langford Emergency Support Services. B次元官网网址淯ntil something happens itB次元官网网址檚 not first on their agenda or first on subjects on what to do... People donB次元官网网址檛 take it seriously enough.B次元官网网址�

Burchill, will be at the fair, showing off an emergency lodging trailer to visitors.

He added different areas around Greater Victoria have different needs and to be aware of what those might be.

Because Victoria is right on sea level, the likelihood of a tsunami is more likely there than on the West Shore where itB次元官网网址檚 more likely a large fire catches the trees and burns down the Malahat towards Langford.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good possibility we are going to have (an earthquake), but of course no one can predict when that will happen. We have small earth tremors... you just donB次元官网网址檛 feel them,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f you look at some of the buildings in downtown Victoria, they arenB次元官网网址檛 retrofitted, so there will be a lot of disaster down there if there is an earthquake.B次元官网网址�

While bringing attention to disasters from a destructive earthquake, to a personal disaster like a house fire is important, the sombre content doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean the fair canB次元官网网址檛 be enjoyable for the entire family.

B次元官网网址淔un isnB次元官网网址檛 usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of emergency preparedness, but this event is really fun,B次元官网网址� said Colwood spokesperson Sandra Russell.

B次元官网网址淜ids can climb up and into armoured vehicles, put out fires, operate a bomb disposal robot, drive the safety village cars and more.B次元官网网址�

Colwood is one of only seven communities in Canada recommended as a Role Model City in the United Nations Making Cities Resilient campaign according to an evaluation by Royal Roads University Masters of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management.

Colwood checked seven out of the ten essential components of a resilient city.

B次元官网网址淲e hope none of this equipment will be needed in our community any time soon, but itB次元官网网址檚 important for each of us to be prepared and know that our region has the people and the tools ready to help in emergencies,B次元官网网址� Russell said.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 1 at West Shore Parks and Recreation, 1767 Island Highway.

alim@goldstream

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