LibGuides: Emergency Management: Websites

Websites

Community Social Planning Council
The Community Social Planning Council has been in existence since 1936 as a non-profit, non-partisan and charitable social planning society.
Emergency Management BC
Emergency Management BC is a division of the Ministry of Justice. EMBC works with local governments year round, providing training and support before, during and after emergencies. The provincial emergency management structure is activated when a BC community or any significant infrastructure is threatened by an emergency or disaster which may overwhelm a local authority’s ability to respond.
EmergencyInfoBC
Whether it’s floods, wildfires, earthquakes or tsunamis, Emergency Info BC links British Columbians to the information they need to respond to and recover from disasters. Our team is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies, both on this site and on Twitter via @EmergencyInfoBC.
EPICC - Emergency Preparedness for Industry and Commerce Council
EPICC is a nonprofit government endorsed society supported by and for the benefit of business and institutions throughout British Columbia, to influence and help businesses prepare for emergencies and disasters.
IPREM - Integrated Partnership for Emergency Management
IPREM is an intergovernmental partnership between the Province of British Columbia and Metro Vancouver (on behalf of the 23 local authorities). IPREM was formed to coordinate regional emergency management planning activities.
Metro Vancouver Emergency Planning and Response
Information on emergency plans for the Metro area as well as the Emergency Notification System.

The Canadian Disaster Database
The Canadian Disaster Database (CDD) contains detailed disaster information on more than 1000 natural, technological and conflict events (excluding war) that have happened since 1900 at home or abroad and that have directly affected Canadians.
Canadian Red Cross
This site provides links to the History of the Canadian Red Cross Society, Fundraising, News, Kids' Zone, Community Publications and Services.
Emergency Management (Public Safety Canada)
Public Safety Canada helps Canadians and their communities protect themselves from emergencies and disasters related to all kinds of hazards – natural, human-induced and technological – through national leadership in the development and implementation of policies, plans and a range of programs.
DRIE: Disaster Recovery Information Exchange
DRIE is a non-profit organization with affiliate chapters throughout the world. The mission of DRIE is to promote business continuity planning, computer recovery planning, crisis management and other related disciplines as integral components of an effective business strategy. This includes appropriate integration with risk management protocols.
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) is a world-class centre for multi-disciplinary disaster prevention research and communication. ICLR was established by Canada’s property and casualty (p&c) insurance industry as an independent, not-for-profit research institute affiliated with Western University. Institute staff and research associates are international leaders in wind and seismic engineering, atmospheric science, risk perception, hydrology, economics, geography, health sciences, public policy and a number of other disciplines.
Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. Learn how quick and easy it is to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. Use this guide to create your own emergency plan. Use the checklists to build a 72-hour emergency kit. These basic steps
will help you take care of yourself and your loved ones during an
emergency.

The Business Continuity Institute (BCI)
The Business Continuity Institute (BCI) was established in 1994 to enable members to obtain guidance and support from fellow business continuity practitioners. Through its Certification Scheme, the Institute provides internationally recognised status to its members as professional membership of the BCI demonstrates the members’ competence to carry out business continuity management (BCM) to a consistent high standard.
Business Continuity Planners Association (BCPA)
The Business Continuity Planners Association (BCPA), based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, is a non-profit, mutual benefit association of business professionals responsible for, or participating in, business recovery, crisis management, emergency management, contingency planning, disaster preparedness planning, or a related professional vocation.
City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN)
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening security and business continuity in commercial zones. CSARN develops and optimizes public-private partnerships; bringing together the expertise of business, police and government communities.
Continuity Central
Provides a constantly updated one-stop resource of business continuity news, jobs and information.
Continuity Forum
The Business Continuity Forum provides independent advice, information and support to the private and public sectors for all the issues and challenges of Risk Management and Business Continuity covering Disaster Recovery, Crisis Management, Emergency Planning and Cyber Security with the aim of improving your Organisational Resilience.
Disaster Resource Guide
The GUIDE is the most comprehensive source for crisis/emergency management and business continuity information. The online DISASTER RESOURCE GUIDE is set up to help you find information, vendors, organizations and many resources to help you prepare for (mitigate) or recover from any type of natural or other type of disaster.
Disaster Recovery World - The Business Continuity Planning & Disaster Recovery Planning Directory
Here you will find software to assist with BIA and risk analysis, as well as links to tools/services to help you create, maintain and audit the plan itself.
DRI International
Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) is the nonprofit that helps organizations around the world prepare for and recover from disasters by providing education, accreditation, and thought leadership in business continuity and related fields.
DRIE: Disaster Recovery Information Exchange
An organization dedicated to the exchange of ideas within the business continuity and disaster recovery industry.
The International Consortium for Organizational Resilience
ICOR is a not-for-profit education and credentialing organization that provides professional development, certification, thought-leadership, and the latest in research and industry trends.
Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) is a world-class centre for multi-disciplinary disaster prevention research and communication. ICLR was established by Canada’s property and casualty (p&c) insurance industry as an independent, not-for-profit research institute affiliated with Western University.
Resilient Organisations
Resilient Organisations is a research and consulting group focused on helping organisations, industries, and economies to thrive in any environment.

CREW - Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup
Conferences, training opportunities, documents and articles, organizations, and laws. Also has resources organized by region of the Pacific Northwest.
Earthquakes Canada
Prepared by Natural Resources Canada, Earth Sciences Section, this site offers general earthquake information as well as links to Recent Earthquakes, Historic Events, Earthquake Hazard, Be Prepared! and Stations and Data. Publications are available in the Products and Research.
Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center
The Earthquake Engineering Research Center (EERC) and the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) merged and the combined organization is now called PEER. The PEER mission is to develop and disseminate technologies to support performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE).
PNSN - Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) is an organization dedicated to reducing impacts of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the states of Washington and Oregon by providing accurate and fast information about earthquakes and ground motions to scientists, engineers, planners, and the public. Valuable links to charts, catalogs and maps of historic as well as the most recent Pacific Northwest earthquakes.
USGS - U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program
Site includes information on the latest quakes, a hazards and preparedness section, and pages providing additional background about earthquakes, information on studying earthquakes and a good guide to both on-line and off-line resources.

BC Floodplain Mapping
Floodplain maps identify areas that experience periodic flooding from nearby rivers, lakes, streams and the sea and provide information on the spatial distribution of flood construction levels.
These areas are designated as floodplains. Floodplain maps show the location of the normal channel of a water course, surrounding features or developments, ground elevation contours, flood levels and floodplain limits—the elevation and horizontal extent of the high water marks of a 200-year flood.
BC Integrated Flood Hazard Management
Available from the BC Ministry of Environment, Water Stewardship Division, information on Floodplains in BC, Reducing Flood Threats and Reducing Flood Damage. Provides contact phone numbers and address.
Floods - Get Prepared Canada
Floods are the most frequent natural hazard in Canada. They can occur at any time of the year and are most often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or more rarely, the failure of a natural or man-made dam. Learn about floods and the Flood Damage Reduction Program.
Fraser Basin Council - Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy
In 2014 the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy (LMFMS) initiative was launched to better protect communities along the lower Fraser River and south coast — from Hope to Richmond and from Squamish to White Rock — from risks of a major flood. Participants in the LMFMS have responsibilities or interests related to flood management and include the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, Lower Mainland local governments and several non-governmental entities in the region.

BC Centre for Disease Control
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority that focuses on preventing and controlling communicable disease and promoting environmental health for the province. Health Alerts are provided on this site as well as information about diseases and their prevention and control.
BC Health Emergency Response and Personal Preparedness
The Emergency Management Unit is a division of the BC Ministry of Health that exists to ensure that the provincial health system is capable of planning for, responding to and recovering from the impacts of extreme events, whether natural, accidental or intentional in nature.
Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response
The Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response is Canada's central coordinating point for public health security issues.
Health Canada - Emergencies and Disasters
During an emergency or disaster, the governments protects and assists the Canadian public. The governments deal with the possible risks from: Natural events and disasters such as outbreaks of disease, floods, earthquakes, fires and tornadoes; Emergencies such as transportation accidents, large chemical spills, nuclear incidents, power outages and terrorist threats.

BC Ministry of Health Disaster Psychosocial Services
The Disaster Psychosocial Services Program is responsible for the development and provision of psychosocial strategies.
Coping With The Stress Of Natural Disasters
From Mental Health America. It is ‘normal’ to have difficulty managing your feelings after major traumatic events. However, if you don’t deal with the stress, it can be harmful to your mental and physical health. Here are some tips for coping in these difficult times.
Disaster Mental Health
David Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages. Here, you'll find mental health handouts as well as links to external disaster web sites, disaster mental health guides, and other informative materials useful in assisting disaster victims.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies (World Health Organization)
The target group for WHO work on mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies is any population exposed to extreme stressors, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, disaster survivors and terrorism-, war- or genocide-exposed populations.
Mental Health in Emergencies (World Health Organization)
WHO-recommended psychological first aid involves humane, supportive and practical help to people who are suffering after a crisis. This support should be provided to people in ways that respect their dignity, culture and abilities. It covers both social and psychological support.

BC Search and Rescue Association
Represents 80 Search and Rescue groups in British Columbia, consisting of over 2500 volunteers.
Canadian Avalanche Association
The CAA provides various services to its professional members and Public Safety Services to the public. Links to Avalanche Information Bulletin, Trip Planner, Weather Forecasts and Satellite Images.
Public Safety Canada - National Search and Rescue Secretariat
The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) is responsible for managing and coordinating Canada's search and rescue with federal, provincial and territorial partners, and fostering interoperability and coordination within the search and rescue (SAR) community and its 18,000 trained SAR volunteers.

BC Tsunami Preparedness
If you live in coastal British Columbia, know your tsunami notification zone , then get prepared to manage on your own for a minimum of 72 hours. Start by developing a household plan, putting together your emergency kit and connecting with your neighbours.
ITIC - International Tsunami Information Center
Administered by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, this site provides information about tsunamis including safety preparedness, the warning signs of a tsunami and what to do before and after a tsunami.
NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Research Center conducts research in support of improved measurement technology and the design of optimal tsunami monitoring networks in order to develop methods and tools to reduce tsunami hazard and protect life. This site includes links to publications, tsunami modeling, and tsunami forecasting.

Global Volcanism Program
The Volcanoes of the World database provides a catalog of Holocene and Pleistocene volcanoes, and eruptions from the past 10,000 years.
Natural Resources Canada - Volcanoes Canada
Provides information and links about volcanoes and the location of Canada's volcanoes.

BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities (BCITS)
BCITS works with people who have severe physical disabilities and helps them to live as well and as independently as possible. BCITS is the home of two main programs:The Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP) that provides equipment and a wide range of supports to people who use ventilators and other respiratory equipment, and The Technology for Independent Living Program (TIL) that provides technology to assist with communication and with managing devices in the home. Visit their Learning Centre section that provides vital information on Emergency Planning.
Disability Alliance BC
Disability Alliance BC (formerly The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities) has been working collaboratively with a broad network of disability organizations and people with disabilities to build relationships with the emergency management sector. This site provides online access to full-text reports specific to emergency planning and people-at-risk.
Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs
This guide was prepared by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with Emergency Management Ontario. It is based on the Government of Ontario's publication, Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs – a cooperative effort between twenty public and private organizations who were consulted for their subject matter expertise and special insights.
Ending Violence Association of BC - Emergency Management for Women's Services
During and after disasters, violence against women increases and it is more difficult for women to obtain help. This workbook helps agencies develop an emergency response plan.
Preparedness for People with a Disability (BC)
It’s important for everyone to be prepared by knowing the risks in their community, having a household plan and having an emergency kit.
Having a disability means you likely need to consider preparedness actions above and beyond the “basics”.
Safety for people with disabilities
From the NFPA, Safety planning for people with disabilities.

Canadian Weather (Government of Canada)
From Environment and Natural Resources Canada. Includes air quality, alerts, marine weather and seasonal forecasts.
Public Weather Alerts for British Columbia
From Environment and Natural Resources Canada.
River Forecast Centre
The River Forecast Centre analyses snow pack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in British Columbia’s rivers and streams. It produces a range of bulletins, maps and warnings to inform emergency managers and the public about current and upcoming streamflow conditions.

BC Wildfire Service
From the Provice of British Columbia, Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Branch, provides information on the current wildfire situation, restrictions, fire danger rating, fire weather and more.
Canadian Wildland Fire Information System
Prepared by Natural Resources Canada Canadian Forest Service, this site offers a Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. Includes a Weather Index System, Behavior Prediction System, and Occurrence Statistics (1918 to current year). Links to a Report on the National Forest Fire Situation, which is updated weekly.
Implications for Disaster Management and Mitigation: Understanding the Human Dimension of Wildfire
The Canadian governments, and other relevant agencies, have increased concerns about individual and community preparedness for disasters, which are defined as the impact from natural hazards, technological hazards or conflict (not including war). Wildfires are particularly worrisome because they have affected 250 communities and 700,000 individuals in Canada in the last ten years.
International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF)
The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) is a non-profit, professional association representing members of the global wildland fire community. The purpose of the association is to facilitate communication and provide leadership for the wildland fire community. Provides Membership information, International News, Employment information, Bookstore and a searchable online Library. Current Titles in Wildland Fire magazine are available to review.

The Canadian Disaster Database
The Canadian Disaster Database (CDD) contains detailed disaster information on more than 1000 natural, technological and conflict events (excluding war) that have happened since 1900 at home or abroad and that have directly affected Canadians.
Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIRMC)
The DIRMC is part of the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Specialized Information Services Division, and works to collect, organize, and make available resources and research related to disasters of all types, from hurricanes and earthquakes to terrorist actions to disease outbreaks.
EM-DAT The International Disaster Database
EM-DAT contains essential core data on the occurrence and effects of over 18,000 mass disasters in the world from 1900 to present. The database is compiled from various sources, including UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, insurance companies, research institutes and press agencies.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Resource & Document Library
The FEMA Library is a searchable web-based collection of all publicly accessible FEMA information resources, including: CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, audio tapes, disability resources, posters and display items, brochures, publications, guidance and policy papers, program regulations and guidelines, forms, slide presentations, and some documents.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The UNISDR Library is an information centre for disaster risk reduction with over 10,000 publications, multimedia products and education resources.

Because anyone can publish anything on the internet, it is very important to determine that the information you have found on a website comes from a reliable and authoritative source. So, how do you evaluate a website?

Ask yourself these questions when you are evaluating a website. Your answers will help you decide if the site appears to be a reliable source of information. In addition, we have provided a number of links to excellent guides for website evaluation.

Authority	Content
Is the author/producer easy to identify? Are the author’s credentials listed? Is the author’s affiliation easy to determine (e.g. university, government)	Are there errors or discrepancies on the site? Is the content appropriate for your needs? Is there sufficient coverage of the topic?
Currency	Objectivity
Can you find the date that the site was created? Was the site updated recently? Do the links on the site work?	Is the information factual or opinion? Is the site trying to sell something that seems too good to be true? Is the information consistent with other sources you’ve found? Is the source of the information provided?

Evaluating Websites

Emergency Management: Websites

Websites

Authority

Content