Plan & Prepare

An emergency plan provides direction for how you and the people you live with will respond to a disaster. Knowing what to do, where to go and who to contact will reduce stress and help keep you focused and safe.

Visit PreparedBC for tips on how to build your plan.

Following a disaster, you may need to leave your home with little to no notice or stay at home until services are restored - having a grab-and-go bag and emergency kit on hand can make the process less stressful.

For information about the different kind of kits and what should be included in them, visit PreparedBC. Here you will find helpful tips on how to build a grab-and-go bag on a budget, what to include in your emergency kit and other factors to consider to ensure your household is prepared.

During an emergency, you and your animal companion(s) may be on your own for several days, and your pets will be relying on you to help them. Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for the humans in your home.

• Identify “pet friendly” accommodation/resources in advance in case you are evacuated. Not all public shelters or hotels may take pets.
• Have food and water in your emergency kit.
• If you have large animals (horses/cows, etc.) have a plan for where you can house them during an evacuation and consider removing animals from the area during an Evacuation Alert, if issued.

For a pet-specific emergency plan template and items to include in your emergency kit, check out these helpful tips from PreparedBC Preparing with Pets Guide

Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice, get your emergency kit and grab-and-go bag ready, get your pets organized and monitor local websites and radio to stay informed. This is also a great time to sign up for Voyent Alert, if you haven't already done so. 

Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately. When an Evacuation Order is issued, it is common to have a representative knock on your door to let you know you must leave. They will provide you with information on how to access supports if needed and where to go for additional information. In most cases, an Evacuation Alert will be issued before an Evacuation Order which gives you time to prepare but sometimes emergencies escalate quickly, and an Evacuation Order is issued without notice - this is why it is so important to have your grab-and-go bag packed, stay informed by signing up to receive notifications from Voyent Alert, and monitor the City's website for up-to-date information.

Evacuation Rescind: Once the risk to life and safety has passed, an Evacuation Rescind will be issued - this will follow with information on when you can return home and any additional information you might need depending on the extent and duration of the emergency event. 

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC): The EOC is a centralized coordination and communications centre for any large emergency or disaster events that impact Penticton. 

Emergency support services (ESS)

If you have been forced from your home by fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies, you may receive ESS for up to 72 hours, including temporary lodging, food and clothing among other specialized services.  The goal of ESS is to help people begin to re-establish themselves as quickly as possible after a disaster.

For smaller events, ESS services may be provided on site. For larger events, ESS will often have a reception centre established.

ESS is administered by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). Learn more on the RDOS ESS webpage. The ESS team is always looking for volunteers, apply today.

Am I eligible for ESS?

In many cases, homeowners or tenant insurance held by the evacuees will provide greater support than what is available through this program. If you are evacuated please consult with your insurance provider to determine what may be available to you.

There are specific condition requirements to be eligible for these supports. For example, if you are self-sufficient (such as having appropriate insurance or the means to support yourself for those first 72 hours), you would not be eligible for ESS. 

To receive these services you must register with the Provincial ESS. Registering online through their Evacuee Registration Assistance program page is the most efficient way to register.