Overview of the Vancouver disaster preparedness study
A joint study by the University of British Columbia’s Disaster Resilience Research Network and the City of Vancouver Emergency Management Agency surveyed nearly 3,000 residents and held six focus groups to explore how people perceive risk and plan for emergencies. The research aims to uncover what Vancouverites know, how they act, and where they need more support to feel truly prepared.
What residents are doing to prepare
Nearly 70 per cent said they have emergency supplies or savings set aside. More than 65 per cent plan to take two or more preparedness actions in the coming year, from stocking essentials to downloading Alertable, the city’s emergency alert app. Yet attitudes vary by language and neighborhood, and information access remains a challenge.
Dr. Jonathan Eaton, lead author of the report and executive director of the UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network, notes, “Knowing you can count on neighbours and institutions during a crisis is just as important as having a go-bag or medical kit.” The study emphasizes that confidence grows when people trust their community and local government and when neighbourhood-specific information is easy to access.
Key concerns and the role of housing
Earthquakes and wildfire smoke topped the list of concerns, followed by extreme heat, coastal flooding and disease outbreaks. Housing status and type strongly influenced how prepared residents felt; tenants were less certain than homeowners about the safety of their homes and whether they could return after an emergency. The report calls for clearer guidance to help tenants, landlords and homeowners prepare effectively.
Barriers beyond the basics
Emotional and financial realities also shape preparedness. Thirty-two per cent of women said they felt overwhelmed when thinking about emergencies, while half of gender-diverse respondents cited financial constraints as their biggest challenge—highlighting the need for guidance that reflects diverse emotional and financial realities.
The findings suggest preparedness is about more than supplies; it requires accessible information that respects different lived experiences.
Community is the missing link
The research indicates disaster planning works best when tailored to each neighbourhood and grounded in residents’ lived experiences. Those already involved in groups or organizations were far more likely to engage with public education efforts, yet only 15 per cent reported access to such support, signaling a major opportunity to strengthen local networks.
Residents want to participate in a broader effort where individual actions fit into a wider neighbourhood plan. Co-author Raahina Somani, a master’s student at UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, explains, “People feel more confident when their own actions align with a community strategy.”
Trust, collaboration, and the path forward
The study highlights that trust in technical expertise is important, but confidence in government action during crises is uneven, partly due to ongoing housing and affordability challenges. Dr. Sara Shneiderman, principal investigator and co-lead of the Disaster Resilience Research Network, adds, “Trust is as much about relationships as it is about expertise. Building that confidence across communities is what will ultimately make the city more resilient.”
Implications for policy and practice
The City of Vancouver plans to apply the findings to its public education strategy on emergency preparedness and will repeat the survey in 2027 to measure progress. Vancouver Emergency Management Agency director Daniel Stevens says, “We’re excited to use this research to move our work forward on community-based preparedness. We’re encouraged to learn that people want to be prepared and we now have more insight into how we reach more people with the information they need.”
Lessons for other communities
Though focused on Vancouver, the study offers valuable lessons for other communities seeking to strengthen emergency preparedness through neighborhood-focused planning, better access to information, and stronger local networks. The research is part of a broader UBC-led initiative to support disaster resilience across British Columbia.
Conclusion
Preparedness starts at home, but its true strength comes from connected communities. By pairing individual action with trusted information, accessible local networks, and inclusive guidance, Vancouver aims to be more resilient in the face of earthquakes, wildfire smoke, heat, and other threats.
