Emergency Preparedness Resources for Physicians

When in the middle of a natural disaster, such as BC’s increasing number of wildfires each summer, it can be difficult to find the right emergency preparedness agency to get relevant information. Doctors of BC has developed this web hub of emergency preparedness websites for physicians to access useful information to be better prepared in advance of an emergency, to help them and their families through an emergency, and to help them continue delivering care to patients.

This page is a continuing work in progress. If you have suggestions for additional links that would be helpful to physicians before, during, or after an emergency, please let us know by contacting View Email Addresscommunications@doctorsofbc.ca.  

Household Preparedness Planning for Emergencies

• “How to” guide: Household Preparedness Guide
• Sample emergency plan template: Household Emergency Plan
• Preparing pets for emergencies

Medical Clinic Preparedness Planning 

• Insurance Resources: If you have commercial/office or home insurance through Doctors of BC partner, Westland Group Insurance, you may be eligible to claim under the provincial mass evacuation benefit. Contact Westland Insurance to submit a claim at https://www.westlandinsurance.ca/bc/claims or call 1-800-899-3093. For more details, please view this handout.
• Business Pathways: Emergency Preparedness Resources
• “How to” guide for preparing your medical practice: Practice Continuity Guide
• Sample medical clinic emergency plan template: Practice Continuity Workbook
• Westland Insurance business interruption insurance: Westland Insurance 
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC: 
  • Physician Practice Enhancement Program Assessment Standards: Emergency Preparedness - Family Physician Office
  • Physician Practice Enhancement Program Assessment Standard: Emergency Preparedness - Internal Medicine Office
  • Physician Practice Enhancement Program Assessment Standards: Emergency Preparedness - Psychiatrist Office
  • Physician Practice Ehanancement Program Assessment Standards: Emergency Preparedness - Pediatric Office
• Review of emergency preparedness in the office setting: How best to prepare based on your practice and patient demographic characteristics

Divisions of Family Practice and Health Authorities

• What are local Divisions of Family Practice doing?
  • Victoria Divisions of Family Practice 
  • Comox Valley Division of Family Practice 
• Northern Health Authority: Emergency Response – Roles and Responsibilities
• Interior health Authority: Emergency Information

Evacuation Information

• Red Cross Registration 
• BC government information on evacuation alerts and evacuation orders
• Information related to BC road closures (Updated information is also on X: @DriveBC)
• Government of Canada's wildfire evacuation information and supports for Indigenous peoples
• BC SPCA Emergency Response Services 

General Information

• Doctors of BC policy paper on integrating physicians in disaster preparedness
• Emergency Info BC – Information on Active Provincial Emergencies 
• BC Government's Wildfire Service

For Patients

• “How to” guide: Household Preparedness Guide
• Sample emergency plan template: Household Emergency Plan
• Helping seniors better prepare for emergencies
• Helping people with disabilities prepare for emergencies
• Preparing pets for emergencies
• Red Cross Registration 
• City of Vancouver: Prepare for an earthquake and other disasters