Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program

Depending on the incident, you and your household could be on your own for days to weeks while first responders manage the aftermath. When disaster strikes, the most immediate help may come from those around you: building relationships with them today will mean a better response and faster recovery. NERP volunteers are committed to ensuring Bowen has resilient neighbourhoods. 

NERP Kiosk Project

Volunteers needed! 

With support from the BICF Resiliency Fund, the NERPs are currently constructing approximately 10 information kiosks across the island. 

Assistance is needed. No experience is necessary, and you are welcome to participate for as little as a just few hours: please contact Edward if you are able to volunteer for this project.

Below is a rendering of a completed kiosk at the end of stage 1. Stage 2 would seek to add emergency supplies to the structure, such as tents, first aid supplies, and tools. 

The project is being led by Edward Wachtman, Judy Gede and Doug Nash. Multiple individuals have donated time and expertise to this initiative, or discounted services: thank you to Robyn Fenton of Tectonic Architecture, Lindsay Tourand of Tourand Engineering, Jules deGroot of Alderwood Farm and Scott Moore of Coastal Mini Excavating for donating time, expertise and resources to the project.

Four kiosks have been completed:

  • Miller’s Landing (Miller Road and Oceanview Road)
  • Cates Hill Park (Rivendell just south of Elrond's Court)
  • Bowen Bay (Bowen Bay Road north of Holdings Rd)
  • Eaglecliff (Eaglecliff Road west of Bannister Road)

Additional kiosks are currently planned for:

  • Queen Charlotte Heights
  • Bluewater
  • Tunstall Bay
  • Mount Gardner (underway)

NERP Resources

 

A copy of the NERP questionnaire is available here for existing NERP volunteers. 

Activities of NERP volunteers:

  1. To encourage Bowen Islanders to increase their level of preparedness in the event of an emergency (such as an earthquake, wildfire, or extended power outage).

  2. To increase neighbourhood self-sufficiency in an emergency or disaster by building collaborative neighbourhood preparedness at the grassroots level, so that neighbours can support one another when outside help is not available. 

  3. To share and disseminate information, for example training opportunities (First Aid, Rapid Damage Assessment, etc.), the importance of signing up for BowENS, etc.

For further information on the roles of the NERPs on Bowen, take a quick look at the Roles and Responsibilites of a NERP volunteer overview, or a deep dive into the NERP Volunteer Manual

For more information on Neighbourhood Emergency Response Programs across the province, see BC's Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide

Interested in Volunteering as a NERP?

Complete the Volunteer Form to get started. 

For information on the volunteer in your neighbourhood, please contact Edward Wachtman, Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program Coordinator

Last Updated on 2021-10-26 at 3:46 PM