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Emergency Preparedness Week in BC

During Emergency Preparedness Week 2022, PreparedBC is talking about Disaster Risk Reduction and how all residents have parts to play in preventing hazards from becoming disasters and lessening the impacts when they occur.

This is called an "all of society" approach, which means citizens, governments, communities, critical infrastructure operators, non-governmental organizations and volunteers are working together to diminish risks and reduce the time it takes to recover.

As climate change increases the frequency and severity of weather-driven emergencies, it's critical to plan and prepare collectively.

While the Central Okanagan has had its fair share of emergencies, including floods, landslides and wildfires. Experts agree there is one common element that can help keep residents and their families safe during any emergency: being prepared.

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“Being prepared to look after your family for at least 72 hours in the event of an emergency is something we need to do each year,” said Sandra Follack, Central Okanagan’s emergency program coordinator.

“And the best time to dust off your family emergency plan and ensure grab and go kits are refreshed, is when there is no emergency.”

The first week of May is the perfect time to inspect emergency kits and replace any outdated food, prescriptions, water and other items.

Follack also adds that it provides an opportunity to involve all family members in practising the plan so that everyone understands what to do when there is an emergency.

“If the risk to public safety is imminent, there may not be much advance notice for an evacuation of an area,” she said.

“First responders may only have minutes to notify residents to gather family and belongings and leave the area as directed. That’s why having a prepared emergency plan and ‘grab and go’ kit is so important.”

Recently, the provincial government announced that BC’s alert system would be getting an upgrade to include threats from floods and wildfires.

The expanded system will be tested at 1:55 pm on Wednesday, May 4.



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