Hi everyone,

We are excited to share a few updates and calls for support.  We recently attended the Ready 2025 Conference hosted by Canadian Red Cross and had the opportunity to connect with over 130 representatives from 40 organizations and all levels of Government. 

Key themes included barriers to resilience in the face of increasing frequency and intensity of emergencies.  Topics included a session on Advancing Indigenous Climate Leadership and others that provoked deeper thinking.  The power of collaboration and the need to expand the lens taken in emergency management also featured in discussions about an action focused path.  We were also pleased to meet with MP Elizabeth May and MLA Macklin McCall (Emergency Management Critic) in recent weeks to discuss our work and the importance of appropriate and sustained resourcing to support the preparedness work we do.

BCEA Celebrates 15 years – Please help us stretch further! 

As we kick off our 15th Anniversary year, we are reflecting on the contributions made by our founding directors who understood the importance of ensuring that earthquake and tsunami preparedness stayed on the agenda.  We are looking for financial support to help us implement the ambitious activities in our strategic planand to continue our ongoing educational programming with appropriate reach, and intensity needed to sustain learning at the local levels.  As you are likely aware, BCEA fills a unique and specialized role of importance in Canada.  We accomplish significant impact at modest cost.  One of our goals is to build capacity for earthquake and tsunami preparedness in new communities in BC.  Each year with the support of our generous sponsors and financial partners, we reach more communities.  We encourage you to support those who prioritize our work. A list of financial contributors can be located at www.bcearthquakealliance.ca.

In 2025 we are focusing on increased collaboration with Emergency Management Services, Indigenous Communities, K-12 Educators, the business community and launching a new awards program to recognize community champions in BC.  We have a number of provincial events that we would like to attend with important messaging and communities we would like to visit with the Earthquake Preparedness Tour.  We need your help to get there.  We also have initiatives that we would like to support in high risk and underserved regions in BC.  Requests for our educational programming exceed our budget.  As the participants engaging in our programs are changing, we need to support those who are delivering programs and adapt our resources to be more reflective of the needs of the people we serve. There are a number of new initiatives that need your help.  If you know of anyone who would be interested in a sponsorship or financial partnership, please contact office@bcearthquakealliance.ca. 

Thank you for your input

A huge thank you to everyone who took time out to provide feedback during our recent survey.  Your input and suggestions are much appreciated, and we are already prioritizing further enhancements into our work plans as we seek to strengthen our educational programs and services. Your words of encouragement and constructive suggestions are very useful.  We now have three sets of survey data and are able to see unique needs of different audiences that we can refine and customize program offerings for.  We have seen substantive improvements in satisfaction rates over time.  The investments made by our team, such as last year’s significant website enhancement project undertaken with support of our donors is making a difference.  Your feedback helps us extend important preparedness messaging to organizations who engage locally in their communities and to individuals who sign up directly.

Call for Education Volunteers

We have a standing call for volunteers to assist with education events and a number of requests already lined up.  One of our priorities is to reach more underserved communities, this year, we have special invitations to provide education in the Chinese and Ismaili Communities.  We are seeking volunteers who have language skills to help.  Training with regards to earthquake and tsunami preparedness messaging will be provided.  Please reach out to office@bcearthquakealliance.ca for more information.  We are grateful to the dedicated people who support us with their time and skills and to the organizations who donate subject matter experts.

Tsunami Preparedness Week is April 13-19. 

BCEA is pleased to announce a webinar on March 21st for the Tourism Sector.  As part of this session, we are looking for examples of organizations in the Sector to share how they are engaging teams and guests in earthquake and tsunami preparedness in Coastal Communities.  Please reach out to office@bcearthquakealliance.ca if you have suggestions.  Sign up is open.  Please watch our channels for more information.  PreparedBC is hosting a High Ground Hike information session on February 26th at 11:00a.m.  For information about PreparedBC’s High Ground Hike, please visit:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/education-programs-toolkits/high-ground-hike.  For useful resources, please visit:  https://bcearthquakealliance.ca/tsunami-preparedness-and-research/

Virtual Community of Practice – Tuesday, February 25th  

Thanks to everyone who has signed up.  A reminder that our next free Virtual Community of Practice for Community Groups and Organizations is February 25th at 1p.m.  If you signed up early, please check your calendars, to make sure that the invitation is showing the correct date.  BCEA Board Member Miranda Myles will facilitate.  Register via our event calendar (link: https://bcearthquakealliance.ca/events/list/  By request, the registration link now provides the option to sign up for the series.

Please visit our event calendar for details of other upcoming events:  https://bcearthquakealliance.ca/events/

Membership – We are grateful for our small and dedicated group of members who have chosen to make a personal commitment to officially advancing our work.  Our members are a significant resource to us bringing additional expertise and geographic reach.  To join, please visit www.bcearthquakealliance.ca.

From the BCEA Board of Directors – Call for nominations

The BCEA nominating committee is The BC Earthquake Alliance Society is seeking diverse individuals who bring variety of backgrounds and experiences to our board. All applicants with a passion for our mission are welcome to apply. We are currently prioritizing individuals who have the following: governance expertise, fundraising, business/tourism experience, and geographic representation outside of Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria.

Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please reach out to office@bcearthquakealliance.ca if you are in need of special accommodation.

To apply: https://forms.gle/c3651Grhp8xBqoYL7

Sign up is now open for the Great BC ShakeOut on October 16, 2025 at 10:16a.m.  By signing up early you will ensure that you don’t miss any of the timely news blasts that contain valuable emergency preparedness information.  Please share broadly:  www.shakeoutbc.ca.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in ensuring that people in BC are prepared for earthquake and tsunami.

Stay Safe,
 
Christine