More community support needed before Vancouver feels ready to respond to disasters, says study

A man walks in the water off Locarno Beach during a stretch of unseasonably warm weather as smoke from wildfires burning in B.C. and in the U.S. hangs over the downtown core, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Those in Vancouver who are working to prepare themselves for natural disasters and other emergencies say they won’t feel truly ready to manage such a situation until there is more support and connection among the community, according to a new study.

The research, published by the University of British Columbia on Oct. 8, involved nearly 3,000 Vancouver residents being surveyed on their current emergency preparedness plans.

Conducted by UBC’s Disaster Resilience Research Network in collaboration with the City of Vancouver’s Emergency Management Agency, the surveys asked residents to note which disaster events they were most worried about, what their level of preparedness was for such an event, and what they think could be done to improve that preparedness.

Participants noted earthquakes and wildfires as being the most concerning of threats, with 48 per cent of those surveyed being “very concerned” and 38 per cent “somewhat concerned” about a potential earthquake, and 44 per cent being “very concerned” and 41 per cent percent “somewhat concerned” about wildfire smoke and poor air quality.

Following closely behind on the list of potential worries was the threat of extreme heat, extreme rainfall, coastal flooding, windstorms, and disease outbreak. Less pressing but still in the mix were further concerns regarding the chance of a drought, extreme cold, and public disturbances.

Nearly 70 per cent of those surveyed said they had supplies or savings set aside, and 65 per cent of the participants said they planned to take two or more preparedness actions in the coming year.

Packing essentials and downloading emergency alert apps are important for preparedness, but the confidence to navigate an earthquake or a wildfire is more often derived from community trust and having neighbours that can be counted on, says Dr. Jonathan Eaton, lead author of the report.

“People are craving social connections when it comes to emergency preparedness,” said Eaton, executive director of the UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network.

“It can be scary or overwhelming to think about disasters. People want to prepare together, rather than in isolation, but it’s hard to know where to start.”

A simple jumping off point would be residents simply taking the time to get to know their neighbours through events like building or block parties, says Eaton.

“In a disaster, when emergency responders are overwhelmed, our very first responders will often be our neighbours,” he said.

“At the same time, you may find out who has skills and tools that could come in handy, who is good with kids or pets, or who may need extra help evacuating from their home.”

For those who would prefer someone else to take the organizing reins, Eaton said the city also offers games, like Neighbourhood Bingo, which encourages residents to prepare for emergencies while learning about their neighbours.

Alongside neighbours getting to know one another, conversations should be being had between landlords and their renters, said Eaton. According to the study, tenants feel less confident in their preparedness than homeowners, with only 7.7 per cent saying they feel fully prepared to take on a natural disaster or emergency. Many renters were less certain than the homeowners about the safety of their homes, and whether they could return to their home after an emergency, the research found.

“When we spoke with people who rent their homes, many expressed concern about limited control over their housing and uncertainty about landlord responsibilities,” said Eaton, adding how better clarity about the roles of each party would help bolster that level of preparedness.

“Landlords should be proactive about understanding the hazards that might affect their properties, and take steps to reduce any risks,” he said.

“Tenants would benefit from clear guidance about the kinds of preparedness support they can ask for from their landlords.”

Most participants called for more community-led education programs and more opportunities to connect with their neighbours, with only 15 per cent of those surveyed reporting having access to such support. Those few who were already involved in community groups were more likely to feel motivated by the public education efforts, the research found.

The study, part of a broader UBC initiative to support B.C.’s disaster resilience, will help shape the City of Vancouver’s public education strategy on emergency preparedness. The survey will be repeated in 2027.