Regional emergency preparedness town hall

News Article
Published: April 29, 2024

INFORMATION RELEASE

RDOS Communications, in conjunction with Protective Services, hosted an online emergency preparedness town hall on Monday, April 29. Watch the recording on the RDOS YouTube channel.

The town hall included information about the following:

  • BC Wildfire Service (BCWS): Web and app updates, reporting wildfires, use of drones and watercraft during emergencies.
  • Preparedness: FireSmart, emergency plans, grab-and-go bags, Emergency Support Services, and water usage during emergencies.
  • Communications: Voyent Alert!, official information sources, media and social media.
  • Emergency Operations Centre (EOC): Evacuation alerts and orders, safety and security.
  • Indigenous Partners: Information from the syilx Okanagan communities.
  • Insurance: Familiarize yourself with your policy and consider taking photographs or video of the contents of your home or business.
  • Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT): https://www.alertcanada.org

ALERT is dedicated to animal welfare through the preparation for and the evacuation, rescue and shelter of domestic animals and livestock in a disaster. It is your responsibility to have an emergency plan in place for pets and animals – and a grab-and-go kit. You should also discuss plans with your family. Alert recommends keeping your vet records on a USB flash drive and consider taking photos of medications and required pet food.

  • Ministry of Agriculture: Premises ID

Premises ID is a way of linking poultry and livestock, including bees, to specific geographic locations. Premises ID information includes contact information to inform planning, and responses to animal disease events or natural disaster emergencies like floods or fires. 

Panelists:

(Moderator) Erick Thompson, Manager, Communications and Engagement, RDOS

Nicole Bonnett, BC Wildfire Service

Brittany Seibert, Manager, Emergency Services, RDOS

Dawn Russell, Emergency Management Coordinator, Okanagan Nation Alliance

Shane Houlihan, Emergency Program Coordinator, RDOS

Mark Pendergraft, Chair, RDOS

Jim Zaffino, Chief Administrative Officer, RDOS

Greg Kanya, Senior Manager of Protective Services, RDOS

For further information, please contact RDOS Communications or visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca.

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-Free 1-877-610-3737 

Resource links

 

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