There are no active emergencies in the region.



NOEM 2012 Year in Review

Welcome to the North Okanagan Emergency Management (NOEM) webpage.
North Okanagan Emergency Management consists of the following members:

NOEM's mandate is to safeguard the public, reduce suffering, protect property, mitigate damage to the environment, and limit the social and economic consequences of emergencies and disasters. NOEM also promotes community emergency preparedness through training, maintenance of several emergency operation centres, including a regional Level 3 facility.

As an emergency or natural disaster can happen at any time, the best approach is to "BE PREPARED." One of our Emergency Management goals is to encourage every resident to prepare a plan to minimize the effects of a disaster (fire, flood, hazardous materials spill, etc.), as you may have to look after yourself for 72 hours or longer until services or supplies are restored. Temporarily, you may have to leave your home and go to an evacuee reception center for help with food, clothing or lodging. The primary Reception Centres are:
  • Enderby Drill Hall
  • Armstrong Centennial Hall
  • Vernon Recreation Centre Auditorium
  • Lumby Whitevale Community Centre
This page contains numerous links to some of the best emergency preparedness and emergency management sites on the internet.  Pre-recorded, emergency preparedness and hazard information is also available 24hrs a day at 250-550-3232.

Thank you for visiting the North Okanagan Emergency Management webpage.  Check back often, as new material, links and messages are added and updated regularly. 

Picture Gallery


Flooding - Am I in a Risk Area

Flooding - Am I in a Risk Area?
General Information

Do you live in an area susceptible to flooding?

Do you know enough about flood risk?

The severity of local flooding and whether or not major flooding occurs along river systems, depends mostly on the weather conditions during snowmelt in May and June.  The weather determines when and how rapidly snowmelt occurs.  Unusually high snowpacks naturally raise the possibility of flooding but risk is determined by a combination of events and conditions:

  • Heavy, concentrated rain events
  • Heavy rains mixed with spring's melting snow, creating excessive run-off into rivers and lakes
  • Creek Debris jams - sudden release of water that has been blocked upstream by debris

Residents are responsible for all measures required for flood protection of private property.  Remember that if rising waters become a threat to your safety, follow the instructions of officials who may be involved in rescue or flood response operations.

For more information on Flooding Preparedness and Response, please visit the Government of British Columbia’s website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/flood/emergency.html

For Personal Preparedness for Floods and Flood Watch notifications, please visit the Provincial Emergency Program’s website at http://embc.gov.bc.ca/em/floods/index.html

To report a serious flood situation, please call the Provincial Emergency Program at 1.800.663.3456.

North Okanagan Emergency Support Services (NOESS)

ESS? What is it?

E
mergency Support Services provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. This assistance includes but is not limited to food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification.

If you are reading this and have received notification to evacuate your home due to a major incident, please register online for Emergency
Services at www.vernon.ca/roles

Who makes up this team in the North Okanagan
?

People like you!  This is a team of highly dedicated volunteers who are committed to bettering their communities by helping fellow citizens.  It is their passion and they come from all walks of life. 
Let us introduce to you to a few of them and you’ll hear how they feel about the program and the services they provide:

“One just has to look around at all the natural disasters that are happening these days to know
that as a trained ESS Volunteer you are prepared to assist people in the North Okanagan should something horrible happen in or around our own area” - Elouise

“For me, being an ESS volunteer is a worthwhile and extremely rewarding experience.  Knowing that you are able to help someone, or something, during their greatest time of need is important – to that individual, the animal and to the community.  In my mind, it makes the North Okanagan a safe and caring place to live”. - Maureen

“I’d have to say the personal reward is feeling good about the time I give to this organization. There are a lot of organizations that require volunteers and I wanted to give my time to one that I feel is important and that I am passionate about.  I think emergency work, particularly when combined with helping animals, is, for me, the best fit possible” - volunteer“
“When I volunteer, I discover myself…” - volunteer

What are the Basic Requirements of an ESS Volunteer?

Transportation
(to get you to where we need to be), Willing to Attend Basic Training and keep current with program initiatives and direction, and have a phone and preferably an Email Address (so we can keep you up to date on what’s happening and get in touch with you when there are emergencies)

I’m interested, what skills do I need?

Simply put, you need the desire to help others.The rest we can teach you!

Want to Apply?
  1.  Fill out an ESS Application Form
  2. Obtain and allow us to view or keep a current Criminal Record Check from your local RCMP detachment
  3. Give us a copy of your current Driver’s Abstract
  4. Drop off, email or fax your completed application and any correspondence to:

    2900 32nd Ave
    Vernon, BC   V1T 2L5
    Attn:  Emergency Support Services Coordinator
    Or fax to:
    250.545.5309
    Or email:
    HSinclair@vernon.ca
Need more information?  You can find us on Facebook on North Okanagan Emergency Management. Please do not hesitate to call the Coordinator at 250.550.7832… we look forward to meeting you!

EOC Operations

Emergency Preparedness

Personal and Neighborhood

Hazard

Avalanche
Earthquake
Emergency Pet Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness for Business and Industry
Disease
Floods
Flooding General Information
HAZMAT
Sandbag video "you tube"
Wildfire






Sites of Interest

Emergency Management Education
Environment Canada Weather
Fire Danger Rating
Key Agency Links
Regional District Maps
SPCA

Media

1075 Kiss fm
Castanet
CHBC news
Facebook ( there is no need to be a facebook user to view the Emergency Management page )
The Sun Online
Vernon Morning Star