In our 2nd episode of "Island View," a weekly current affairs show for Gabriola hosted by Lead Journalist Theresa O’Leary and Associate Journalist Marshal Fries, we attend one of the many Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Presentations happening all over the island.

Listen in as Carol Waldo, FireSmart Coordinator on Gabriola, and Shirley Nicholson, Gabriola Emergency Support Services Team Leader, tell a large crowd what they can do to reduce the risk to their homes property, and generally be better prepared in the event of a wildfire, earthquake, or other emergency on the island.

Then Marshal interviews Nicholson and community organizers Glenys Stuart and Kathy Ensor. Shirley offers some simple tips for getting through extended power outages and notes that by educating ourselves now, we will be better able to assist the fire and police departments should an emergency occur. She also explains how other neighbourhoods can host an Emergency Preparedness Presentation.

Glenys discusses how the meeting came to be organized, what we can do to be pro-active in protecting our homes and property, and what she feels visitors to the island need to know about water conservation. Kathy notes the importance of knowing the needs of your neighbours, encourages people to take advantage of the fire department's fire safety assessment program, and adds that "It's not just the authorities who are responsible -- it's us."

It's an hour of smart talk about being FireSmart and emergency-ready.

Life on Gabriola TV is generously sponsored by:

• The Gabriola Arts Council
• The Haven, Gabriola Island

Journalists: Theresa O'Leary, Marshal Fries