Field hospitals being readied for North and South Okanagan if needed

Photo: Contributed

IH is setting up deployable alternate care sites in the North and South Okanagan.

With wildfires raging throughout the region, officials with Interior Health are preparing for the worst.

Deployable alternate care sites (DACS) are being positioned in the North and South Okanagan.

The centres have been provided by Health Emergency Management BC and contain the supplies and equipment required to rapidly set-up a care site resembling a field hospital.

One DACS is being positioned at Summerland Seniors Village and another is being positioned at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong.

St. John Ambulance will be supporting the deployment process.

At this time, only the Summerland DACS will be unpacked which will provide supplies and equipment to care for approximately 40 people in case of emergency.

Proactive evacuations will continue for health-care clients, residents and patients impacted by evacuation alerts.

Anyone wishing to confirm their loved one’s evacuated location can call 1-877-442-2001.

Throughout IH portable generators are being positioned at key health-care facilities to ensure the continuity of care in the event power is interrupted.

IH reminds the public to plan ahead for evacuation alerts, evacuation orders and power loss.