VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Red Cross teams will have the province’s back should a major earthquake strike the West Coast and local emergency workers get overwhelmed.

BC has signed a formal agreement with the agency that ensures its Canadian arm is regularly involved in planning for a natural disaster. This gives the Red Cross a seat at the table as plans are made for handling emergencies in this province.

“This agreement will see us collaborating on planning, training, and joint excercises critical in the event of a natural disaster,” says Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond. “Our ability to move from reaction and response to resilience and recovery can make the difference between disaster management and tragedy.”

The partnership ensures Red Cross Emergency Response Units, which include trained personnel and equipment that can be deployed within two days, will be ready to assist BC in the event of a major catastrophe.

The Canadian Red Cross’ John Byrne says up to 200 people from Canada could be called on first if a large quake hits, then teams from the US and abroad would be called upon.

“Local authorities may become overwhelmed in their response efforts,” he says. “As part of a global humanitarian movement, the Canadian Red Cross can act as a portal to bring in specialized emergency response units, or ERUs, through our international network.”

“This means whenever there is a major disaster that Canadian Red Cross cannot respond to alone, we can call on the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent societies to activate this ERU system,” Byrne adds.

He says an ERU is a standardized modular package that includes staff and equipment needed during an emergency.

Bond believes the partnership with the Red Cross will not cost the province any money at this time. It lays out protocol and ensures there is backup resources to help local teams if necessary.