Disaster Preparedness Resources

In light of the inconsistent response to the Tsunami warning for the west coast of Vancouver Island on January 22, 2018, OPSRRA has compiled a list of resources for our members in case of a major emergency. OPSRRA is not a disaster-preparedness organization per se, but we do want to provide our members—and others—with basic information on emergencies, as self-education and preparation are essential.

Keep in mind that you would need to play an active role to ensure your own safety, well-being, and security for such possibilities (or eventualities, if you are of the glass-half-full persuasion). You also would be responsible for your family and pets.

Please be aware that governmental resources/responses could be delayed, inaccessible, and/or inadequate during potential crises—especially for residents in more remote areas.

CRD Resources

This CRD link includes a good general overview, with a very thorough PDF worth downloading to help you prepare for future emergencies.

On the CRD site above, there is an opportunity for residents to sign up for alert notifications, which is well worth doing here.

Other Resources

Twitter is an option for those who are comfortable with the platform and technology (of course, your mobile device would have to have power, be turned on, and within earshot to hear the audio notification of a “tweet” for emergency purposes).

EmergencyInfoBC further explains the alert notification system, some of which are in the development phase (for instance, text alerts are slated to begin in April 2018):

Within the Juan de Fuca area, Juan de Fuca Emergency Management has a great deal of information.

It is important to familiarize yourself with resources on potential weather-specific disasters:

• River flooding
• Earthquakes
• Wildfires
• Weather
• Tsunamis

Highway 14 Improvements announced by Premier Horgan

Premier John Horgan is fulfilling his commitment to improving Highway 14 (Sooke Road and West Coast Road) in an announcement of $10 million in upgrades.  There are two particular improvements to note, west of Sooke:

• A slow-moving vehicle pullout, just east of Muir Creek and
• A new rest area at the Sombrio lookout, featuring picnic tables and washrooms.

OPSRRA believes that these two endeavours are good starting points on the long and winding road and look forward to additional future improvements.

2017 Shirley Christmas Craft Fair

Shirley Day 2017

I went to the Shirley Days event.  It was my first time. OPSRRA had a booth and many people were interested in the issues, our enthusiasm for the values of our rural communities. I spoke to young farmers, people enthusiastic about the land, the environment: many people who had a clear idea of the world they wanted to live in. We signed up a number of new members.

Fiona wrote:

The Shirley Hall and adjacent Pioneer Park were very busy places on Sunday, August 20 when the Shirley Community Association hosted their annual Shirley Day.

There were over 35 vendors and community groups in the park, the Fire Department showcased their equipment and fire trucks for the public, a very popular closed bid auction was held in the hall, the Shirley kitchen produced its usual yummy fare, the Salmon BBQ was well attended, there were activities for the children …all contributing to an extremely successful day raising over $5500 for the maintenance of our 75+-year-old Shirley Hall and Pioneer Park. 

Shirley Day could not occur without its very hard working volunteers. Specifically, Mary Dunn, our Shirley Day CEO, Fern Dunn and Jennifer Taylor who organized all the vendors in the park, Colin McMechan, along with his crew of Mel Kimmel, Bernard Sauve, Michael Scott and Judith Carder kept the kitchen humming, Sean Rafferty and Malcolm Taylor, our jacks of all trades, Christian and Pascale Knoglinger, BBQ chefs extraordinare, Penny and Les Hilliard who contributed to the BBQ, Robin Fleming and Grant Richardson who went above and beyond to source donations to our closed bid auction, Karen Fonger helped with the auction table. Catherine Hawkins who presided over the bake table along with Mary Brown and Donna Allen. Karen Skripitsky and Roseanne Day kept the children entertained in the park. Colleen Minten, Karen VanVeen and Jean Conway who took in the money for the concession and BBQ dinner. Fiona McDannold looked after advertising and Chuck Minten placed all the road signs.

As well, we are very grateful to the 56 people/organizations and local businesses who donated to the Closed Bid Auction.


The Shirley Community Association was established in 1934 and the Shirley Hall was constructed in 1937 on donated land on the corner of what is now West Coast Road and Sheringham Point Road. The Shirley Community Association has evolved from those days, yet we remain true to the tradition of community spirit and volunteerism.  

The Association provides and maintains the Shirley Hall and Pioneer Park as facilities for:

• Public and private events;
• A base for the JDF Emergency Response, Shirley Chapter, and the Shirley Volunteer Fire Department;
• A home to the Shirley Quilter’s and Crafters, and the Shirley Women’s Institute;
• As a venue for various recreational programs;
• A weekly summer Sunday market;
• A green space for travellers to enjoy a picnic lunch.

The Association also hosts Shirley Day on the third Sunday in August each year, and spring and fall craft fairs.