In It Together: Emergency Preparedness Week at Gordon Neighbourhood House

May 3–9 marks Emergency Preparedness Week—and fittingly, Neighbourhood House Week too. It’s a national call to action to think about how we prepare for emergencies at the personal, family, and community level. This year’s BC theme, “In it Together,” reminds us of something we see every day: strong social connections make us more resilient.

While preparedness is part of our work year-round, this week is a chance to pause, check in, and take a few simple steps—like refreshing your emergency kit, making a plan, or starting a conversation with a neighbour. It’s also a great opportunity to learn alongside others in the community.

Learn and Connect This Week

The City of Vancouver has compiled a range of events to help you build knowledge and confidence:

• Canadian Red Cross Learning Series (May 3–9)
  A week of online sessions in English and French. Topics like caring for yourself and others during and after emergencies (May 6) and emergency planning for businesses and organizations (May 7) offer practical, people-focused guidance.
• DEEP Open House (May 2)
  Join Dunbar Earthquake and Emergency Preparedness (DEEP) and FireSmart BC at the Dunbar Disaster Support Hub for hands-on demonstrations and information from local partners.
• City of Vancouver Emergency Preparedness Session (May 5, 11am)
  Hosted by Vancouver Public Library, this session covers the essentials: understanding risks, making a plan, gathering supplies, and staying informed and connected.
• BC Emergency Alert System Test (May 6, 1:55pm)
  A province-wide test will send alerts to TVs, radios, and cell phones. It’s a good reminder of how alerts work—and a chance to make sure you’re set up to receive them.
• PreparedBC Webinar: Preparedness Through Connection (May 7, 7pm)
  Explore how relationships and community networks strengthen emergency readiness—and learn practical ways to build those connections.

Small Actions, Big Impact

Preparedness doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can start with something simple:

• Checking expiry dates in your emergency kit
• Saving important contacts
• Talking with friends, family, or neighbours about a plan

Throughout the week, the City of Vancouver and PreparedBC will also be sharing tips, tools, and resources online—including ready-to-use materials if you’d like to spread the word in your own networks.

Building Resilience, Together

At Gordon Neighbourhood House, we know that preparedness is about more than supplies—it’s about people. It’s about knowing your neighbours, sharing information, and showing up for one another when it matters most.

Thank you for being part of this community and for being in it together with us.