Earthquake Preparedness Consultation Discussion Questions

2014 Earthquake Preparedness Consultation

Discussion Questions

The Earthquake Preparedness Consultation, initiated by the provincial government, is collecting input from stakeholders across British Columbia regarding how British Columbians can become more prepared for a catastrophic earthquake.

The Chair, Mr. Henry Renteria, will be providing recommendations to the provincial government, by December 31, 2014, based on this stakeholder input. While these recommendations will be delivered to the provincial government, preparedness is a shared responsibility between all stakeholders, including the public, all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Thus, these recommendations are expected to consider actions by a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders.

The questions below are intended to provide a starting place for a discussion of top challenges, opportunities, and priorities with respect to British Columbia’s earthquake preparedness.

1. In your opinion, is your community adequately prepared for a catastrophic earthquake?

   a. If not, what would you say are the top three preparedness gaps or challenges?

   b. What specific recommendations would you offer to address these gaps or challenges?

2. In your opinion, is British Columbia as a whole adequately prepared for a catastrophic earthquake?

   a. If not, what would you say are the top three preparedness gaps or challenges?

   b. What specific recommendations would you offer to address these gaps or challenges?

3. Given the importance of individual and family preparedness for disasters such as a catastrophic earthquake, are there specific recommendations you could offer for increasing the public’s preparedness?

4. Are there key policy issues which should be addressed by governments as part of enhancing British Columbians' preparedness for a catastrophic earthquake? (e.g. legislative or regulatory changes, changes to land use planning policies, changes to financial compensation provisions, industry regulation, etc.). If so, what are the top issues, and what recommendations would you offer?

5. How can alignment of disaster preparedness plans and activities between different governments, agencies and stakeholders be enhanced?

6. To ensure that progress and successes to date on enhancing earthquake preparedness in British Columbia are recognized, are there particular projects or best practices that should be acknowledged and built upon?

7. Is there additional information or perspective you would like to bring to the Chair’s attention?