Central Okanagan residents urged to prepare emergency kits

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) is urging residents to be prepared for a large scale emergency.

May 1 is the start of Emergency Preparedness Week across the country and the perfect time to update or make a plan on how your family can deal with a major emergency.

“Experience has shown it’s only a matter of time until you or someone you know will be impacted by an emergency,” said the RDCO in a statement. “Last year, wildfires forced several hundred property owners from their homes in the Joe Rich and north Westside Road areas. Some were prepared, while others were left to scramble when evacuation orders were issued.”

Deputy Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting encourages families to organize a kit and make a plan and to be prepared now in the event of an emergency.

“We continue to promote three steps to preparedness. In our area, with the risk of interface fires, it’s important you and your family to know what you would do if you have to evacuate your home. The better you are prepared, the better we can support you and any resident that is impacted.”

Residents should be prepared to be able to cope on their own for at least 72 hours during an emergency as responders and rescue workers will be dealing with immediate threats first. Grab and Go kits should be easy to carry and contain important documents, medications, clothing, and personal equipment to meet the basic needs of all family members including pets.

You can subscribe to receive email information updates whenever the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) is activated. Whenever any new information is released including detailed maps showing areas under evacuation alerts and orders, subscribers receive real time notices.