With Emergency Preparedness Week underway, the city of Port Coquitlam is reminding residents that it offers a series of free one-day courses throughout the year to help prepare people for a disaster.
City services may not be available for at least 72 hours after a major emergency such as an earthquake, flood or severe storm so personal preparedness is key.
Earlier this year, the municipality changed the format of its courses to provide information on four different EP topics in a single Saturday session.
Topics range from personal preparedness to basic fire suppression and take place at PoCo's No. 1 Fire Hall (1725 Broadway Street) on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Registration is now being accepted for courses on May 26, Sept. 22 and Nov. 24; all participants must be at least 16 years of age and priority will be given to Port Coquitlam residents.
For more information, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/ep or call 604-927-5466 to register.
Other PoCo news:
WASTE NOT
Port Coquitlam residents can win a prize from the city by sharing their best story about how they ditched their trash by keeping it out of the dump.
The city is giving away an iPad, iPod, Sony Playstation 3 and other goodies to residents who tell their tales about getting rid of household garbage using an environmentally safe method. The contest is part of the city's Waste-Loss Challenge, which encourages people to "watch their waste-line" and to think about where their rubbish is going.
The first 50 applicants who submit their stories and tips before May 23 will receive a month's supply of Bag to Earth paper bags.
To enter, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/wasteloss or pick up a form at city hall, Terry Fox Library, PoCo recreation facilities or the city's operations centre on Broadway Street.
Stories must be between 150 and 250 words and can have photos attached. Only one entry per address is allowed.
