Our mission statement:

To collaborate with other organizations in providing ongoing education and support for Hornby residents to become more prepared for a range of potential emergencies.

The Emergency Preparedness Committee was formed in 2018 to research and coordinate information for a Hornby Island emergency preparedness. Of course, the foundation for any emergency preparation has to be individual, household and neighbourhood emergency preparedness, so education is a big component of the Committee’s work. The BC Provincial Emergency Preparedness web-site has a lot of useful resources and information.

Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)

The foundation of emergency preparedness is personal and neighbourhood preparedness through the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program.

The Committee is currently asking for people from each of Hornby’s neighbourhoods to volunteer as Neighbourhood Emergency Coordinators. These Coordinators will receive training and information about organizing neighbourhood meetings to review emergency preparedness information and identify neighbourhood resources and needs. Some neighbourhoods already have Coordinators, but there are many that do not yet have a Coordinator or alternate. View the map to see if your neighbourhood is in need: Hornby NEPP map Sept 2023.

Contact HIRRA Administrator if you are interested in being a Neighbourhood Coordinator or alternate.

The Comox Valley Emergency Program has a simple but comprehensive guide to help you start Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) planning: NEPP Guide

Grab and Go Bags

An easy first step for personal emergency preparedness is to set up a “grab-and-go bag.” A grab-and-go bag is a small emergency kit that’s easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. It’s a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace and vehicle. The following list can be modified to fit your needs. The actual “bag” may be in a backpack, a rolling suitcase, or even just a shopping bag or large shoulder bag. A grab-and-go bag is very handy for unexpected hospital trips (grab it if you or a family member is going to the clinic or being transported by ambulance), as well as potential evacuation, fire, etc.

Items to include: [also see this graphic: NEPP Grab and Go image 2024]

• Food (ready to eat) and water bottle
• Phone charger and charged battery bank
• Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Small first-aid kit and personal medications
• Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
• Copy of your emergency plan and family contacts
• Copies of important documents, such as insurance papers and identification
• Cash in small bills
• Local map with your family meeting place identified
• Seasonal clothing and an emergency blanket
• Pen and notepad
• Whistle
• Pet food and any medications for your pets (if needed)

Inform Your Visitors

Many people visit Hornby Island in the summer and throughout the year. Visitors come to connect with family and friends, mountain-bike, swim, walk the trails, buy arts and crafts, or just unwind in our rural remote community. If you have visitors staying on your property, help them be prepared for an emergency. The following handout was circulated by the Hornby Island Short Term Rental Association to assist their members. The information is useful for anyone on Hornby who hosts visitors: HISTRA Owners and Guests Emerg Prep Plan 2024

Evacuation Manual

Comox Valley Emergency Preparedness (CVEP) worked with Committee members to prepare an evacuation manual for the island. The manual of operational guidelines is available on their web-site: Evacuation Guidelines

Tsunami Preparedness

While Hornby is fairly protected from the direct threat of a tsunami caused by a Pacific Ocean earthquake, it’s always good to understand the risk of tsunami and know the best route to high ground.
This downloadable PDF shows the high ground safe zones and the areas of Hornby that could be flooded in a tsunami: NEPP Tsunami Safe Zones on Hornby.

Emergency Preparedness Committee 2024

• Bernie Kowey
• Amy LeBaron
• Albini Lapierre
• Tom Ruth
• Henry Touwslager

Minutes of a Community Emergency Preparedness Meeting held in February 2018 that led to the creation of the HIRRA Emergency Preparedness Committee later that year.