October is Emergency Preparedness Month in Nanaimo

Fire prevention. Emergency kits. ShakeOut. Alerts.

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed September 29, 2025 9:00 AM

Summary

Now in its sixth year, the City of Nanaimo's Emergency Preparedness Month is set to bring residents important messaging about how to prepare for a number of emergency situations. Everyone should be ready for everything from fires and earthquakes to storms and power outages.

Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 5-11, will focus on "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home."

On Oct. 16, 2025 prepare to drop, cover and hold on as the province-wide Great BC ShakeOut earthquake drill will take place at 10:16 a.m. Residents can participate by registering at www.shakeoutbc.ca and listening in for the drill on 102.3 FM The Wave or 106.9 FM The Wolf radio stations.

Also, during ShakeOut, a test alert of the City's emergency alert system, Voyent Alert!, will be sent out. Residents can visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/alerts to sign up for Voyent Alert! if they haven't already.

Watch for more about Emergency Preparedness throughout the month of October on the City's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky feeds (@cityofnanaimo), through radio and print and online on the City's website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/emergencymanagement.

Link to Strategic Plan: Providing effective emergency management communications supports a safer and more livable community.

Key Points

The City is sharing messages throughout October to help residents and businesses with emergency preparation. All residents are reminded to put together an emergency kit. Vancouver Island residents are encouraged to stock up on supplies for a minimum of seven days.
Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 5 to 11 will focus on the safe use of lithium-ion batteries.
The Great BC ShakeOut drill will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:16 a.m. and will be aired on 102.3 the Wave and 106.9 the Wolf.
A test of the City's emergency alert system, Voyent Alert!, will also take place during the ShakeOut drill.

Quotes

"Fires, windstorms and floods are just a few of the hazards that can happen here in Nanaimo. On Vancouver Island, we should have at least seven days' worth of supplies in the event of a large-scale emergency. We can all do our part to be prepared by building an emergency kit, developing an emergency plan, participating in the Great BC ShakeOut and signing up for Voyent Alert!, the City's emergency alert system."

Evan Lloyd

Manager, Emergency Program

City of Nanaimo