1-800-709-0906 or 604-277-5855 info@sostech.ca

Get Good & Ready

SOS Emergency Response Technologies has joined the Partners in Preparedness campaign with PreparedBC. Our hope is to make it easier for you to get ready for an emergency by helping you understand what should be in an emergency kit and make it easy for you to have access to supplies. If there was a major emergency in BC would you know what to do? Would you be prepared? Experts recommend that all families have a minimum of 72 hours of supplies on hand and be able to manage without power or water for that period of time.

Some key items to have on hand: Emergency Food Rations, Emergency Water (minimum shelf life 5 years), communication devices (think hand-crank or solar), blankets for warmth, first aid supplies, sanitation supplies, cash, walking shoes, & duct tape.

School and PACs fundraising Tired of the same old fundraisers? PACS, Daycares, sports teams, dance schools and more have all had success with our Earthquake Kit fundraising program. Prepare your families & help your community be ready for ANY emergency and raise up to $19/kit bought for your PAC and/or club. Call 604.277.5855.

Workplace Purchase Programs Do you want to provide your staff with an opportunity to purchase Earthquake Kits for personal use at wholesale prices? Let your staff know you want to help them be prepared for ANY emergency when they are away from the office. SOS Emergency Response Technologies has a great purchase program that includes free delivery to the workplace. Call 604.277.5855.

Does your emergency evacuation plan account for staff with mobility issues?

Does your emergency evacuation plan account for staff with mobility issues?

As a safety coordinator have you taken into consideration any staff with mobility issues in your emergency planning? Keep in mind staff with unobservable challenges that may or may not self-identify before an emergency. These individuals may need additional help during emergency situations.

Such issues may include:
◦Arthritis
◦Asthma
◦Cardiac condition
◦Chronic back problems
◦Psychological disability

Prepare a personal evacuation plan for individuals requiring special assistance during an evacuation. Be sure to include:
◦Intended route and means of evacuation
◦Who will assist them
◦Areas of refuge where they can wait for assistance

Update your department Emergency Action Plan annually to accurately describe:
◦The number of people who may require special assistance during an evacuation
◦Their primary work location

Assign 2 or more staff members who are willing and able to assist a colleague with a disability during evacuation.

Ensure that you have evacuation chair(s) on hand. Evacuation chairs are specially constructed for evacuating non-ambulatory persons from multi-level facilities. Most designs enable 1 or 2 assistants to control movement down stairs without lifting. Call our office at 604.277.5855 for more information on this product.

Make Emergency Preparedness Your New Year’s Resolution

Although we originally posted this blog in 2014, we thought it was prudent to re-post in light of the earthquake near Christmas 2015.

Each year it seems we all rotate the same resolutions in order to achieve a longer life: eat healthier, exercise more or quit a bad habit. All of these changes are controllable throughout the whole year, but what about unexpected events that can threaten your life? Unfortunately many people don’t think about emergency preparedness until they hear about a disaster that has happened somewhere else.

What if the disaster hits closer to home? Are you and your family prepared? Do you have an emergency plan?

Instead of recycling those usual and tired resolutions, this year make a resolution for you and your family to be safe. To help you out we at SOS Emergency Response Technologies have come up with 3 quick and easy steps to achieve this goal, so you can sit back and boast to your friends that you accomplished your resolutions for the year.

Step one – Check the batteries in your smoke detector.
Step two – Check your first aid kits. Take a look and see if any products are expired and need to be replaced. If you don’t have a first aid kit we recommend our General Purpose First Aid Kit FK1021 $14.95.

FK1021

Step three – Check your emergency preparedness kit and update your emergency plan/contacts if needed. If you use bottles of water they have to be replaced yearly. Emergency Food Ration Bars and Emergency Sterile Water Packets last longer (5 years). Double check your contact lists to make sure it is up to date with current information and remind your family about the emergency plan you put in place. If you don’t have an emergency plan there are many sources on the internet. These days we find ourselves working and running errands at all hours of the day so the chances of your family being split up when a disaster hits are larger. Make sure you set a meeting point.

If you don’t have an emergency preparedness kit SOS Emergency Response Technologies has a variety of options to choose from. We have kits for 1, 2 and 4 person families and have economical versions as well.

2 Person Home Deluxe 72hr Survival Kit SQ6002

That’s all there is to it! Although, there are a few extra steps you could take to make sure those around you are safe as well. Ask the human resources team if your workplace has an emergency plan as well as emergency kits. If you are on the safety committee make a point to bring it up at the next meeting and set up an emergency plan for your work place. SOS Emergency Response Technologies can also provide emergency preparedness kits and products for your workplace.

Steps to Earthquake Safety

ShakeOut_Global_DontFreak_851x315

On October 17th, a locally-driven, world wide “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill will take place called The Great ShakeOut. All residents, agencies, businesses, and organizations across the world are encouraged to take part in the largest earthquake drill in history!  Register here http://shakeoutbc.ca/

With this fantastic event only 2 weeks away,  we thought it be a great time to share some earthquake safety steps with you:

Before the next big earthquake we recommend these steps that will make you, your family, or your workplace better prepared to survive and recover quickly:

  • Secure your space – identify hazards, secure bookshelves and heavy furniture
  • Plan to be safe – create a family emergency response plan, have a meeting place
  • Organize emergency supplies – ensure you have enough emergency food and water for a minimum of 72hrs. It should be easy to carry in case you have to evacuate
  • Minimize financial hardship – organize important documents; keep copies in an alternative location if possible

During the next big earthquake, and immediately after, is when your level of preparedness will make a difference in how you and others survive and can respond to emergencies:

  •   Drop, Cover & Hold – when the ground starts to shake

     After the immediate threat of the earthquake has passed, your level of preparedness will determine your quality of life in the weeks and months that follow

  •  Ask for feedback on how the drill went.
  •  Schedule the next drill for one year later (or sooner).
  •  Share photos and stories at Share the ShakeOut.
  • Encourage your staff to prepare at home  

DropCoverHold

 

Be READY to Evacuate

If an emergency is serious enough, you may be asked to leave your home and go to a nearby evacuation center , like a school gym or community hall. Would you be ready?

If you have to evacuate leave immediately. TAKE your emergency survival kit with you. Don’t have one ? Call us and order your 1, 2 or 4 person home survival kit now! LISTEN to the radio and follow instructions from local emergency officials. If you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity. Make arrangements for pets. Wear clothes and shoes that are appropriate. Lock the house. Follow the routes specified by the officials. Do no take shortcuts. A shortcut could take you to a blocked or dangerous area. If you have time, leave a note telling others when you left and where you went. If you are evacuated, sign up with the registration center so you can be contacted or reunited with your family and loved ones.