Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)

Let's Build Resilient Communities

Comox Valley Emergency Management offers a Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) and guide to help Comox Valley communities prepare for emergencies.

The program provides tools and guidance for residents who want to work with their immediate neighbours to build preparedness at the neighbourhood level.

Download the NEPP Guide

Why Neighbourhood Preparedness Matters

NEPP supports social connections and mutual assistance within neighbourhoods.

For several days after a major disaster, help from neighbours may be the only help available. Building those relationships beforehand can help residents be better prepared if a disaster occurs.

Research shows that in a disaster, people working together have a better chance of survival than individuals acting alone. They also recover much faster emotionally.

Most initial disaster relief is provided not by formal emergency and relief organizations, but by residents of the impact area and surrounding communities.

'Common Misconceptions about Disasters' by Erik Auf der Heide

NEPP was identified as a key initiative by the CVRD Board of Directors to help ensure Comox Valley communities are able to prepare in case of an emergency. While personal and household preparedness is important, NEPP builds resilience at the community level. By working together with your immediate neighbourhood, you will not be alone in times of need.

Individuals and neighbourhoods need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for a week or more following a major disaster.

Residents should also be personally prepared for emergency situations with emergency kits, water, and plans for family and pets. To learn more about emergency preparedness, visit our Emergency Preparedness page.

Create Your NEPP Plan

Creating a NEPP plan starts with simple, practical steps. Use the steps below to learn how to get started, host your first meeting, and keep your neighbourhood prepared.

Personal preparedness is the foundation of emergency planning. How can we help each other if we cannot first help ourselves? We should all prepare to be self-sufficient with food, water, and emergency supplies for at least seven days.

For more information on personal preparedness presentations and resources, contact Comox Valley Emergency Management at 250-334-6000 or visit our Emergency Management page.
Neighbourhood champions are the people willing to rally their neighbours, spread the word, share materials, and, in the process, build lasting relationships. They come from different backgrounds and walks of life and share a commitment to making their community a safer place.

Comox Valley Emergency Management does not offer funding, but provides support to neighbourhood champions, including:
- planning tools, including the step-by-step guide
- promotional materials
- a presentation from Comox Valley Emergency Management
- a map of your neighbourhood
- free materials you can share
- a way to connect with fellow champions online and in person
- support by email or phone.
Consider the following when preparing for your NEPP meeting:

When would you like your neighbourhood to meet?
If you would like Comox Valley Emergency Management to provide a presentation and help guide the process, please confirm the date and time with us first. We suggest scheduling 90 minutes for the meeting.

Where do you want to hold the meeting?
A home in the neighbourhood is ideal, unless there are too many people attending. The meeting can also be held outside, weather permitting. In-person meetings are preferred, but presentations can also be provided virtually on Zoom.

Where are the neighbourhood boundaries?
You can include as few or as many homes and people as you like. You can always increase or decrease the size of your group later. If you live in a small subdivision, apartment complex or mobile home park, you may want to include the entire area or building. It’s your call.

How will you invite your neighbours?
Inviting your neighbours in person is recommended, if possible. This can help encourage attendance and participation. A sample invitation is available in Appendix B of the NEPP Guide.

Who will do the inviting?
Consider whether you have a like-minded neighbour, partner or a couple of kids willing to help. The more people involved, the less time it will take. Some neighbours may choose not to participate, and that’s OK
Once you have organized your first NEPP meeting, here’s what to expect:
- A representative from Comox Valley Emergency Management will provide a presentation on NEPP and offer materials needed to complete a basic neighbourhood plan.
- Meeting participants will be invited to identify the top three hazards in the area and learn preparedness tips to help reduce overall risks.
- Your group may be able to complete a full draft of the basic NEPP plan before the meeting is over. This plan may include identifying who will be on your NEPP leadership team.
- Your NEPP plan is unique to your neighbourhood and will serve you best when regularly maintained.
- The NEPP leadership team is responsible for distributing and updating the plan over the long term.
- A sample of a completed basic NEPP plan is available in Appendix T of the NEPP Guide.
Your neighbourhood now has a basic NEPP plan that could reduce impacts, ease suffering and maybe even save lives after a disaster.
The NEPP leadership team is encouraged to meet shortly after the basic NEPP plan is fully drafted.

This meeting is for the leadership team to identify the basic supports and functions needed to maintain the NEPP plan and to determine:
- What is our leadership model — chair, co-chair, or team lead?
- How will we meet as the leadership team?
- How often do we meet as a neighbourhood?
- When do we update the plan — annually, or when neighbours move in or away?
- How do we distribute the updated plan — at a NEPP barbecue or delivered door-to-door?
- Will this team also coordinate the response after a disaster, or will it identify others who will play that role?
- Which appendices from the guide should we include as part of our plan?
- Does our neighbourhood need a more detailed plan?
Follow-up meetings are essential. A group that meets just once may have a hard time remembering what to do when disaster strikes.

Follow-up meetings help reinforce the roles each neighbour will play after a disaster. They allow more neighbours, particularly new neighbours, to become involved. They also build unity and increase the group's ability to respond promptly and effectively to disasters.

We suggest holding neighbourhood follow-up meetings at least every 8 to 12 months, or more often if necessary.

A follow-up meeting can be a get-together or an activity. Make it fun!

NEPP Planning Resources

The NEPP Guide includes templates, checklists, and reference materials to help neighbourhoods create, maintain, and practise their emergency plan. Download the appendices below as needed while working through the NEPP planning steps.

Partners

Join Our Team