By Rebecca Edwards
Graphic images of earthquake devastation in Japan have prompted a growing number of British Columbians to prepare for the possibility of a similar disaster in this province.
Delta-based emergency kit manufacturer First Aid and Survival Technologies Ltd. (FAST) has seen orders increase dramatically since March 11, when an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale and a tsunami hit Japan.
General manager Carmen Funk said the company began receiving orders for emergency survival kits within days of the disaster in Japan, which also caused a tsunami alert on the B.C. coast. The kits contain 72 hours of food and water rations as well as light sticks, heat blankets and first-aid supplies.
“We had just launched an online store and the orders through that have exploded. I have just processed the 107th order in a week – normally we would only have had a handful in that time,” said Funk. “I think because we had the British Columbian Shake Out drill in January, then the earthquake in New Zealand and now in Japan, people are making the effort to get prepared.”
The company has been able to keep up with demand for orders because everything in the kits is produced at its warehouse in Delta. Businesses and individuals have ordered the kits, and some companies are offering a staff discount on home kits.
Funk added: “We have increased our staff levels by 20%, and everyone has been working overtime to get the orders out. As fast as we make the kits, they fly out of the door, but we’re still taking orders.
“We have fought tooth and nail to keep our manufacturing in B.C. and at times like this it pays off, because we don’t have to wait for supplies.”
Funk said demand for FAST’s preparation kits also rose after the Loma Prieta earthquake that struck San Francisco during the 1989 World Series and the Nisqually earthquake that hit Washington state in 2001.
In January, 470,000 people took part in the first Great British Columbian Shake Out earthquake drill, where they were instructed to “drop, cover, hold on” before considering how they would cope if a major earthquake hit the province.
Heather Lyle, director for integrated public safety in B.C. and the drill’s organizer, said it’s common for public awareness to increase following a major world disaster.
“There is a recognized psycho-social effect of any event – normally there is a three-week window after an incident when the public is more engaged. After this earthquake it may last longer because there has been so much news coverage and the event was so dramatic and destructive.
“Most local authorities have had more people calling up for information and a lot of them have been offering emergency preparedness information sessions since the Japan event, which have been very well attended. People have no excuse to not get prepared now.”
- At least two litres of water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried in case of an evacuation order
- Food that won’t spoil, such as energy bars and canned and dried foods (replace food and water once a year). You should store at least 72-hours worth of food for your family or workforce
- Manual can-opener
- Windup or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
- Windup or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
- First-aid kit
- Cash in smaller denominations, such as $10 bills, and change for payphones
- Prescription medication or medical equipment
Source: Public Safety Canada