The Metchosin fire department is making sure West Shore residents are prepared for any emergency by offering free CPR classes, and starter emergency kits for $35.

The CPR level C course covers infant, child and adult CPR, choking and training on automated external defibrillators (AED). The department also offers general safety classes for parents with infants.

The department doesnB次元官网网址檛 schedule CPR classes on specific dates, said Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop, who also serves as emergency program co-ordinator for Metchosin.

Instead, if someoneB次元官网网址檚 interested, Dunlop suggests they get a group of about four or six people together and call the department to schedule a training time.

B次元官网网址淲e can do (the classes) weeknights or weekends as well,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e pretty flexible with time.B次元官网网址�

And for those who want to get started on building their emergency kit, the fire department has put together a small kit with an assortment of basic supplies, including water, a small Leatherman tool, flashlight, small first aid kit and ice pack.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e just a starter kit,B次元官网网址� said Dunlop, adding there are many different kinds of emergency kits. For example, one designed for when residents need to stay home would differ from one used when being evacuated to a shelter.

B次元官网网址淭he more important one is that grab-and-go kit,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hat has different stuff like insurance papers, legal documents, medications, pet food.B次元官网网址�

The Metchosin emergency program outlines the necessities for all the different kinds of kits on their website, as well as FAQ about varying types of emergencies and how to be prepared.

For more information, including emergency checklists, visit metchosinemergencyprogram.ca.

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com