Be Ready Vancouver
The Be Ready Vancouver series on CouveCast offers a practical, local look at what preparedness really means — not just for individuals and families, but for the systems and people working behind the scenes when disaster strikes.
In Episode 6, “Be Ready Vancouver Part I,” Jordan Macfarlane of CRESA joins local residents Devon and Mallorie to talk about community preparedness and resilience. The conversation makes emergency preparedness feel approachable: start with small steps, use what you already have, and think through the real needs of your household, including pets, medications, and everyday essentials. The message is clear: preparedness does not have to start with expensive gear. It starts with awareness, simple planning, and small actions that add up over time.
In Episode 7, “Be Ready Vancouver Part 2,” Scott Johnson of CRESA shifts the focus to emergency management itself. He explains what happens once an incident begins, how emergency managers support first responders and the wider community, and why coordination matters long after the initial crisis. The episode helps listeners understand that emergency management is not just about reacting to the “bad thing” at the center of an incident. It is also about addressing the ripple effects on people, infrastructure, and community systems, while helping everyone move back toward normal operations.
In Episode 8, “Be Ready Vancouver Part 3,” Acting Lieutenant Tanya Wollstein of the Vancouver Police Department and former 911 dispatcher Cassandra Deering explore how emergency services and dispatch function during a disaster. They discuss why life safety is the top priority, how dispatch helps direct limited resources where they are needed most, and why public preparedness makes such a difference during high-demand events. Their perspective reinforces an important truth: when residents are better prepared, the whole community is better positioned to respond.
Taken together, these three episodes paint a fuller picture of resilience. Preparedness is not just a personal responsibility or a government function. It is a shared effort that begins at home, grows through neighborhoods, and depends on strong coordination across the entire community.
You can listen to the full series here: