In light of the fire and evacuations in Fort MacMurray, AB, Vernon Fire-Rescue Services (VFRS) and North Okanagan Emergency Management are reminding residents that preparation is important in managing emergency situations.
Your house will probably not burn down. A flood is unlikely to occur and a disease epidemic most likely won’t sweep through the North Okanagan in 2016 or 2017. So there’s no reason to panic.
Still, there is no time like the present to plan for unforeseen emergencies that, while rare, do happen. The fact is, assembling a kit of necessities, talking with one’s family and mapping out contingency plans are far, far easier to undertake before something happens.
A plan crafted before an emergency not only considerably eases the stress and trauma of dealing with a crisis but it is more likely to be a well thought out plan. Hasty actions taken under extreme circumstances usually result in regrets. Planning and preparing for your family, your pets and your treasured possessions now will greatly reduce your risks and lessen the consequences of a disaster.
The BC Government website, Public Safety and Emergency Services – Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery contains a link to PreparedBC. This site is British Columbia’s one-stop shop for disaster information. There you can find out the top 10 hazard risks in BC, how to build an emergency kit and actions you can take in your neighbourhood to be better prepared in case of an emergency.
The Government of Canada’s emergency preparedness website offers valuable information so that you can be prepared if a disaster should occur.
There is never a good time to experience an emergency or be asked to leave your home. Being unprepared only makes things worse.
VFRS and the North Okanagan Emergency Management office sincerely hope that a disaster will never find you but if one does, you can protect yourself and your family by being prepared.