As the south Okanagan-Similkameen draws nearer to freshet and wildfire season, local and regional emergency program coordinators are urging residents to be prepared. And how can you do that? By signing up for emergency notifications.
“By staying informed when an emergency hits, you are using one of the most effective ways to protect you and your household,” says Brittany Seibert, the emergency program co-ordinator for the City of Penticton.
“It could be a slow or flash flood, or a forest fire that suddenly erupts. It might be an extreme cold combined with a power outage, or a developing extreme heat event. Whatever it is, we want to be able to communicate out to our residents quickly and that’s why we’re encouraging everyone within the south Okanagan-Similkameen to sign up for emergency notifications.”
Emergency notifications provide the most up-to-date information on event status, evacuation orders/alerts, emergency support services and potential travel restrictions. As well, the updates will offer links to other resources and recommended actions to take. Depending on your local emergency notification system, you can sign up for text SMS or email notifications.
The City of Penticton and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen each issue advisories and updates by text, email, news releases and on social media channels. Residents are encouraged to know which platform is the best source of information for them.
The City of Penticton will be testing its text message notification system on March 29.
To register for updates from the City of Penticton, go to www.penticton.ca/subscribe
To register for updates from the Regional District, go to https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca/