It’s Emergency Preparedness Week.
Manager of Communications for the CRD, Gerald Pinchbeck, said now is the ideal time to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Notification System.
“As part of our learnings from the 2017 wildfires we implemented an Emergency Notification System where if we had to issue an Evacuation Alert or Order for any part of the CRD, we would be able to put out notification to residents mobile devices, e-mails, landlines, so that they get the information immediately as soon as we issue it rather than having to wait for word of mouth, through radio, or even on Facebook. “
During Emergency Preparedness Week, Pinchbeck said the CRD pushes their messaging hard on people needing to subscribe to this so that they get the information right away rather than having to wait.
“Throughout the year we’re also helping people sing up for that system. If someone calls a member of our staff in the Emergency Services Department, or even the Communications Department, we can walk them through setting up their account on our Emergency Notification System. They can also go through the CRD website and sign up for it themselves. It’s available through our home page on the website,” Pinchbeck added.
Pinchbeck said they have about 12 thousand subscribers right now.
Through a partnership with the Cariboo Regional District, District of 100 Mile House, City of Quesnel, District of Wells, and City of Williams Lake, this system provides mass emergency notifications independent of the provincial system.
May 7 to 13 Pinchbeck said valuable information will be shared with the public.
“Emergency Services like ourselves, the City of Williams Lake, the Tsilhqot’in National Government, City of Quesnel, and Prepared BC, will be putting out information about how to prepare your family for an emergency or disaster scenario. What goes inside a grab and go bag, what to think of when when you’re planning for your family’s home emergency plan, and ways that you can get ready before you have to go.”
Residents who have not yet registered for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System can do so on the CRD website.
Pincbeck added that people should keep an eye out on the CRD Facebook page as they launch a new preparedness program that will be launched this week.