Preparedness Tips for Families
- Complete and return to school your child's student release forms.
- Know your school's emergency plan.
Questions to ask about a school’s emergency plans
- How will the school communicate with families during a crisis or critical incident?
- Does the school store adequate food, water, and other basic emergency supplies?
- Is the school prepared to shelter-in-place if needed? Where do they plan to go if students and staff must leave the school premises?
If an emergency or disaster occurs during school hours
- Please do not phone the school; phone lines must be kept open for emergency communications.
- Check the school district and/or school website for information and updates.
- Before picking up your children, check your home first to ensure there is no danger and it is safe to return to with children.
- Whenever possible, travel by foot to pick up children. Streets and access to the school may be cluttered with debris, and school access routes must remain clear for emergency vehicles.
- Bring photo identification to the school. This applies to all others (19+ years) listed on student release forms.
Take a closer look
Contact your school to learn more about its emergency preparedness plans.
Preparedness resources for educators
Emergency Preparedness Squad
If you’re teaching Kindergarten to Grade 3, consider the Emergency Preparedness Squad learning modules. The curriculum-linked content helps students become emergency preparedness superheroes and to make sure their families are ready when disaster strikes.
Master of Disaster
Master of Disaster is a free classroom program designed to help youth in Grades 4 to 8 learn about hazards in B.C.—like floods, wildfires and earthquakes—and how to get prepared. Learn more about the program and order your teaching and student kits by visiting Prepared BC’s Master of Disaster: Youth emergency preparedness web page.
Ember, the FireSmart mascot
Ember can educate students on alertness, adaptability, intelligence and community mindedness. Check out Ember’s den for information and resources on how to help teach students about preventing wildfires by being fire smart.
