Partners in Preparedness: Retail Program
Partners in Preparedness is a program for B.C. businesses that helps their customers prepare for potential hazards. Retail partners use in-store and online advertising to promote and sell emergency supplies. The goal of this program is to remind customers of the items they need to complete an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag.
Apply for Partners in Preparedness
Program overview
This program can be integrated into a business at any time, but is most effective if aligned with hazards that can occur in your community or as part of broader emergency preparedness events. At a minimum, a partner must promote the partnership and sale of emergency supplies one week of the year. Some examples are:
- In the spring ahead of wildfire and flood seasons
- In the fall, ahead of storm season
- After emergency events, such as a felt earthquake
- In connection with preparedness campaigns, such as:
- Emergency Preparedness Week: An annual national preparedness event held the first full week of every May
- The Great British Columbia ShakeOut: An annual earthquake drill held the third Thursday of every October. Millions of people worldwide practice how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On"
Program partners
The follow business are currently participating in the Partners in Preparedness program:
Program materials
Partners in Preparedness has online and print marketing materials that can be used in-store, on the web, and social media. Display the materials online or in-store, directing customers to what they should buy.
Instructions for ordering
- Choose which of the following print marketing materials you would like customized with your corporate logo. Posters are available with an earthquake, wildfire, power outage and winter weather theme.
- Email PartnersinPreparedness@gov.bc.ca with any custom size requests.
- Partners in Preparedness will place your order and get the print materials shipped to you directly.
Sample print options
Sample social media posts
Online graphics and the earthquake, flood, wildfire, power outage and severe weather caption ideas can be used to generate awareness on retail business social media channels.
Instructions for posting
- Copy-and-paste the content below in a new Twitter or Facebook post
- Attach one of the provided graphics
- Option: add information, photos and hashtags specific to your community
We want to make it easier for you to build a household emergency kit. Drop by our stores, pick up a checklist and start shopping. #PartnersInPreparedness
Are you good and ready? We have partnered with @PreparedBC to help you prepare for an emergency. Find out what you should include in your emergency kit. #PartnersInPreparedness
When disaster strikes, there won’t be time to collect emergency supplies. We’ve partnered with @PreparedBC to help you get #GoodAndReady.
Is creating an emergency kit still on your to-do list? Let us help you cross it off. Visit us in-store to find out how you can get #GoodAndReady.
One step today puts you in a better position to recover if disaster strikes tomorrow. Take the first step and purchase emergency supplies for your kit. As a #PartnerInPreparedness we can help!
Don’t hide your emergency kit in the attic or basement; stash it in an easy to access place! We’ve partnered with @PreparedBC to help you get #GoodAndReady.
Preparing for an earthquake is more than Drop, Cover Hold On. Visit us in-store to find out what supplies you need for your emergency kit! #PartnersInPreparedness
Expect the unexpected! Following an earthquake, be prepared to be on your own for a minimum of three days to one week. Build your emergency kit today, so you and your family are #GoodAndReady
Earthquakes are common in B.C. with an average of 3,000 reported each year. The next one could be the big one. We can help you get #GoodAndReady today! #PartnersinPreparedness
Following an earthquake you may have to stay at home and be reliant on your emergency kit items. Visit us in-store to purchase non-perishable food, water and other emergency supplies to support your household for a minimum of three days to a week. #PartnersInPreparedness
Severe storms in the fall and winter can cause flooding in coastal areas. We want to make it easier for you to get #GoodAndReady before disaster strikes. Visit us in-store to find out what you need to build your grab-and-go bags.
Is your home ready for #BCFlood season? Check these tasks off your list:
✔️ Create grab-and-go bags and an emergency plan
✔️ Contact your insurance agent to verify your coverage for flood
✔️ Keep valuables, important documents & family mementos in watertight containers
As a partner in preparedness we can help you get #GoodAndReady.
Visit us in-store to pick up grab-and-go bag supplies for each member of your household in case you have to leave quickly. Don't wait for an evacuation alert or order to get ready! #BCWildfire #PartnersinPreparedness
If a wildfire threatens your home, you may be required to evacuate on short notice. Be ready by creating grab-and-bags and putting them in an easy-to-access place. We can help you get started! #PartnersinPreparedness #BCWildfire
DYK, on average, there are more than 1,600 wildfires in British Columbia every year? Take time now to build grab-and-go bags for each member of your household so you’re not caught off guard. Pick up supplies in-store now! #PartnersinPreparedness #BCWildfire
What would you take if a wildfire forced you to evacuate? We have all the supplies for you to build grab-and-go bags in advance to help ensure nothing gets left behind. #PartnersinPreparedness
Don’t be left in the dark! Having your household emergency kit stocked and ready will ensure you are prepared if a power outage happens. Drop by our store, pick up a list and get started today. #PartnersinPreparedness
Power outages can happen anytime, often without warning. Make sure you have an emergency plan and emergency kit with supplies to support your household for three days to a week. We can help! #PartnersInPreparedness
During extended power outages, you may be left without light, heat and hot water. Are you prepared? Visit us to pick up a checklist and find out what should go in your emergency kit. #PartnersinPreparedness
Are you ready for #BCStorm season? Visit us in-store to gather your supplies – food, water, flashlights, blankets and batteries – in case you find yourself without power. Don’t forget your pets – they need supplies, too! #PartnersinPreparedness
Communication is key during a power outage. Make sure your household emergency kit has a battery-powered or hand-crank radio so you can track official information. We can help you get #GoodAndReady. #PartnersinPreparedness
Hey, who turned out the lights?? Power outages are common during the fall and winter months. Visit us to complete your household emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and other essentials. #PartnersinPreparedness
Storms can be scary, but preparing for one doesn’t have to be! Visit us in store to find out how to prepare for an emergency. #PartnersinPreparedness
Feature blog and video clip
Retail businesses can be featured on the Partners in Preparedness website. If you'd like to share what you are doing to promote emergency preparedness, let us know at PartnersInPreparedness@gov.bc.ca. Here's an example from one of our featured retailers, Total Prepare.
Contact us
If you have any questions about Partners in Preparedness, contact us at PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca.
