H.E.R.O.S. is a community initiative aimed at providing emergency preparedness training opportunities to the residents of Coquitlam. This information is offered through educational displays and seminars given to members of the community, businesses, citizen organizations and specialty groups.

HEROS Program Seminars - Fall 2010

Date: Tuesday, September 28
Course: #324871 - Personal, Family & Community Emergency Preparedness
Location: City Centre Library, 3001 Burlington
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Cost: Free

Date: Monday, October 4
Course: #331323 - Disaster Pet Care & Basic First Aid (cost includes starter pet first aid kit)
Location: Poirier Library, 575 Poirier Streetab
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Cost: $10.00

Date: Tuesday, October 26
Course: #325698 - Personal, Family & Community Emergency Preparedness
Location: Dogwood Room, Dogwood Pavilion 624 Poirier Street
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Date: Wednesday, November 3
Course: #324870 - Personal, Family & Community Emergency Preparedness
Location: Lemon Tree Room, Glen Pine Pavilion 1200 Glen Pine Court
Time: 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon
Cost: Free

H.E.R.O.S. Provides:

• Awareness of potential hazards in your area
• An understanding of what could happen before, during and after a disaster
• Skills and information to protect and prepare your home and family
• Tools to help prepare a community to deal with a disaster using an earthquake as a working model
• Assistance in developing and organizing preparedness programs within your community that include the following tasks that would be needed following a disaster:
  • First Aid
  • Hazard control
  • Supply distribution
  • Shelter and care giving
  • Rapid damage assessment
  • Basic fire suppression

Core Training Courses that H.E.R.O.S. Provides

Personal, Family and Community Emergency Preparedness
This free training session forms the foundation of emergency preparedness for individuals, families, schools, businesses and the community as a whole.  H.E.R.O.S. also works together with organizations that provide translators thereby making training sessions available in other languages.  Modified training sessions without translators are also available for ESL groups.

You will learn how to:

• Respond before, during and after and earthquake
• Check for hazards in your immediate environment
• Understand the typical effects of earthquakes
• Develop a family communication and reunion plan
• Identify the location and function of the Disaster Response Routes
• Recognize and respond to hazards caused by damage to utilities such as electricity and gas
• Compile and maintain emergency supplies
• Prepare a business for a disaster
• Help prepare your community by getting to know your neighbours and the skills they possess

Basic Fire Suppression

Fire can start at any time. Knowing when you can safely respond to a fire and when you must leave the area and call 911 is critical. Coquitlam and Port Moody Firefighters facilitate free information sessions that focus on how to prevent and respond to fires.

You will learn about:

• Safety
• The basics of fire chemistry and the different classes of fires
• The various types of fire extinguishers
• Basic fire response
• Ways to intervene in the event of water, gas or electrical problems

Disaster Preparedness for Pets

To ensure the safety and well being of your pets, they need to be included in your disaster response preparations.

You will learn how to:

• Prepare for pet needs such as food, water, transportation equipment, etc.
• Anticipate medicinal needs of pets
• Steps to take when you, your family and pets are evacuating your home

Post Earthquake Rapid Damage Assessment of Buildings

This free BC Housing Rapid Damage Assessment of Buildings seminar provides training in safe and effective post-earthquake assessment of concrete and wood-frame buildings and homes. This course is facilitated by BC Housing Management Commission staff.

You will learn how to:

• Evaluate the type and degree of damage causing a building to become unsafe following an earthquake
• Assess how variables such as building age, materials and construction type play a roll in the amount of building damage sustained
• Identify the necessary steps to make structural and non-structural components less vulnerable to seismic motion
• Conduct a safe post-earthquake building evacuation
• Post and secure a building identified as unsafe

Outdoor Recreation Safety

Many of us love spending time outdoors. Whether taking a short stroll or camping in a remote wilderness area, there are things you should be aware of before setting out. Coquitlam Search and Rescue volunteers teach safety courses pertaining to both spring and fall outdoor activities. This course is also offered in a modified version to adult ESL students through the H.E.R.O.S. program.

You will learn how to:

• Prepare yourself for everything from a short hike to an extended camping trip
• Recognize the "10" essential items you must always have with you
• Dress correctly for the weather and time of year
• Administer basic first aid
• Obtain weather forecast information
• Take appropriate action should you become lost

Business Emergency Program

Businesses are critical to every municipality.  Disasters impact business by causing loss of valuable equipment, merchandise, facilities, clientele, suppliers and even employees.  It is estimated that 25 per cent of small to medium sized businesses do not recover after a disaster resulting in a ripple effect throughout the entire community.  Many companies that have survived disasters had previously taken some preparedness steps and were therefore better able to deal with the impact of the disaster.

You will learn about:

• The role of the City, the Province
• The Emergency Preparedness for Industry Commerce Council and tools they provide to business
• Steps you can take to prepare yourself, your family and business to survive a disaster