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Emergency preparedness for working at home

Last updated on January 31, 2024

Being prepared for an emergency in your home is always good practice.

When our homes become our places of work, emergency preparedness is more than a good idea, it's a work responsibility for BC Public Service employees. 

You're required to make the following preparations prior to working from home. Supervisors should confirm that these preparations have been completed.

Determine an accessible location within your home to store the materials listed below.

Review emergency plans and procedures regularly to remain informed about how to proceed in case of injury or emergency.

On this page

A telework agreement must be approved by your supervisor if you're working at home or another location outside of the office. 

Emergency communication

  • Make sure emergency communications channels are easily accessible:
    • Land line
    • Mobile phone
    • Instant messaging (IM)
    • Email
    • Dispatch services
  • Create a contact list of important phone numbers:
    • Your supervisor
    • Team members
    • Medical clinic
    • 911
    • RCMP

Basic emergency kit

Emergency response procedures

Prepare for earthquake, fire, power outage, flood or other emergency:

  • Assess potential hazards in the telework location and environment
  • Have a practical response plan for each identified hazard
  • Complete the fill-in-the-blanks emergency plan

Home emergency evacuation plan

Create an evacuation plan that answers the following questions:

  1. When should I evacuate?
  2. How should I evacuate and by what route or method?
  3. Where should I go when I evacuate?
  4. Who should I call or notify?

Fire and smoke warning systems

  • Your home should have working smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside every sleeping area
  • Every home with at least one fuel-burning appliance/heater, attached garage or fireplace should have a working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm installed on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area

First aid

  • Keep a list of first aid contact numbers such as for your doctor, 911 and your supervisor
  • Know the anticipated time for emergency responders to arrive so that you are prepared to make the best emergency decisions possible (will it take minutes, hours or days?)
  • Have a basic first aid kit in your home and car
  • Know the first aid incident reporting procedures. All injuries that occur in the course of work must be reported to the supervisor immediately, and properly documented

For BC Public Service after hours occupational safety emergencies, call 1-250-952-0911.

Can’t find what you need? 

Submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request. Use the category Workplace Safety.

Be as specific as you can in the subject line (ergonomics assessment or occupational safety specialist).

If you're a government employee without an IDIR, contact the BC Public Service Agency to submit your service request.