Prepare for disaster

Photo: Contributed

Last week, 34 wildfires sparked in a single day in northern B.C. 

It's a stark reminder you should always be prepared for when disaster strikes.

Emergency Preparedness Week starts May 1, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan is reminding residents now is a perfect time to plan with your family how to deal with an emergency.

In the Okanagan last year, wildfires forced several hundred property owners from their homes in the Joe Rich and north Westside Road areas.

Deputy Kelowna fire Chief Travis Whiting said preparing in advance, helps to reduce the inevitable stress that rises should you get a knock at the door ordering you to leave your home.  

“Know the risks, make a plan and get a kit," he said. 

"We continue to promote three steps to preparedness. In our area, with the risk of interface fires, it’s important for you and your family to know what you to 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.”

Whiting recommended being prepared to cope on your own for at least 72 hours during an emergency, as emergency responders and rescue workers will be dealing with immediate threats.

“Update and refresh your family’s emergency kit. It should be easy to carry and contain important documents, medications, clothing and personal equipment to meet the basic needs for each member of your family.  And don’t forget to include your pets or family members requiring special considerations.”

In B.C., catastrophes most often come in fires and floods. However, other areas of Canada are met with an average of 80 tornadoes each year, making Canada the second highest country in the world for tornados.

Duane Tresnich is a Central Okanagan Search and Rescue member, who is also certified in emergency management. He dedicates his time to training others on how to be prepared in case of a disaster.

He says grocery stores usually only have enough supply for 2 1/2 days of non-perishable items and only have about eight hours of of perishable items, like dairy products and fresh fruit and vegetables.

“Gas stations will run out of fuel within hours and transportation routes could be closed, cutting off supply,” he said, when explaining what people should be aware of during an emergency.

He reminds residents that most cellphones will not be able to work after the beginning of a disaster. This is due to cell service providers being overloaded in part to the amount of calls taking place. Emergency services could request that cell service be turned off except for emergency personal. And the disaster or emergency will have destroyed the cell towers or power to the cell towers.

Besides having an emergency kit prepared, Tresnich said families should have an evacuation plan with a known meeting place should disaster strike.

“People should conduct workplace risk assessment or home hazard hunts at least twice per year; as well as exercise an evacuation plan and review emergency information at least once per year,” said Tresnich.