Don’t wait for disaster to strike, talk to loved ones today about how you’ll communicate during an emergency.

“This weekend has brought more tragedy to our mountains because of avalanches. Our hearts break for the families of those who have lost loved ones to B.C.’s backcountry this season.

Premier Christy Clark announced $10,000 for the purchase of ten new digital radios for Coquitlam Search and Rescue volunteers, giving them more range and reliability to help even more people.

Ground search and rescue volunteers are known for providing an outstretched hand-of-help to the lost or injured in British Columbia. The provincial government is reaching out to them and will be providing $10 million in one-time funding to help bolster training, administrative support and equipment renewals.

Following the Dec. 29, 2015, magnitude-4.7 earthquake near Sidney, B.C., that was felt throughout southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, many British Columbians are talking about what to do to be more prepared in the event of a bigger earthquake.

The Province is urging British Columbians to prepare and be diligent, as Environment Canada continues to warn residents of strong winds and substantial rains for parts of coastal B.C. and the River Forecast Centre warns of high stream flow and potential flooding in South Coast communities.

This weekend’s windstorm that ripped through the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island knocking over trees, power lines and leaving people in the dark for a number of days is a reminder for all British Columbians to make sure they and their families are prepared for any emergency.