Emergency Preparedness & Safety Info

Regional Districts – Emergency Information pages

Regional District of the Central Okanagan: CORD Emergency Operations

Regional District of the North Okanagan: Emergency Management

Columbia Shuswap Regional District: Emergency Management

Okanagan Similkameen Regional District: Emergency Operations Centre


Heat

BC Provincial Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS)

Source: Province of British Columbia

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/professional-resources/heat-event-response-planning

Information on the two-tiered system for issuing a heat warning and extreme heat emergency. This site lays out the criteria that will be used to issue an alert, the appropriate public health messaging for both types of alerts, and the recommended actions for health sector and other partners.

Be Prepared for Extreme Heat

Source: province of British Columbia

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/severe-weather/extreme-heat

This short guide contains up-to-date information on the health risks of extreme heat and how to stay cool and safe.  Also available in Français (French)  |  简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)  |  繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese)  |  ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)

Extreme Heat

Source: Interior Health

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/natural-disasters-and-emergencies/extreme-heat#bc-hars-triggers-and-activation-process

Extreme heat is projected to be come hotter, longer, and more often as BC’s climate changes.  Read Interior Health’s plans and recommendations to increase community resiliency and save lives.

Letter from IH Medical Health Officers

Heat stress

Source: WorkSafe BC

https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/hazards-exposures/heat-stress

Our bodies naturally maintain a temperature between 36°C and 38°C. Sweating cools our bodies down, but if you work in a hot environment this might not be enough. If your body heats up faster than it can cool itself, you experience heat stress. This can lead to serious heat disorders and potential injury.  This site focuses on the effect of heat on workers.


General

PreparedBC

source: Government of British Columbia

http://www.preparedbc.ca

Disasters happen and can potentially leave your household on its own for several days.  Sounds scary, but it doesn't have to be. PreparedBC can help you understand and prepare for the hazards in your area.

3 Steps to Preparedness:

  1. Know the Hazards
  2. Gather Your Supplies
  3. Make Your Plan

Emergency Preparedness | Natural Disasters & Emergencies

source: Interior Health

https://tinyurl.com/ycx23j5c  

Interior Health's webpage that includes information for drinking water, hazardous materials, and food handling and storage during an emergency.

Air Quality Health Index

source: Environment Canada

http://www.bcairquality.ca

The government of BC’s BC Air Quality website and includes air quality data, interactive maps, and link to smoke forecasts.

Road Closures and Conditions

source: DriveBC

http://www.drivebc.com

1-800-550-4997

The government of BC’s official traveller information system.  Includes help for planning routes, information on variable speed limit signs, major events, and highway webcams. 

Public Weather Alerts

source: Environment Canada

https://weather.gc.ca/

The government of Canada’s weather service and includes forecasts, alerts, and various maps.

Drinking Water for Everyone

source: Interior Health

https://drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca

Interior Health’s website on clean, safe, and reliable drinking water.  Includes an interactive water advisory map for easy access to water advisories from Interior Health.  Also includes Interior Health educational videos and reports on drinking water.

Community Health and Climate Change

Source: Interior Health

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/19911ac6afeb4ad0b2f3bce166829337

Online mapping to show exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to health-related climate hazards in BC’s Interior.


Fire

FireSmart BC: A complete resource for keeping your home, neighbourhood, and community prepared for wildfires. As fires have increased in B.C. in the past decade, the need for preventative measures has never been greater. (Source: collection of relevant BC agencies and organizations)

Wildfire Status: The government of BC’s official website for wildfires and includes an interactive wildfire map, wildfires of note, information bulletins, wildfire prevention information, and fire bans and restrictions. (Source: BC Wildfire Service).
Phone: 1-888-3FOREST (1-888-336-7378) 


Evacuations

Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA): The Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool is a new digital platform for Emergency Support Services. ERA is designed to increase the efficiency and speed of service delivery for evacuees across the province. (Source: Government of BC).

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: Emergency Info BC is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies, both on this site and on Twitter via @EmergencyInfoBC. They share official response and recovery sources, as well as verified event information from trusted partners. (Source: Emergency Info BC). 

Emergency Support Services: British Columbians forced from their homes by fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies may receive emergency social services for up to 72 hours.  Services may include food, lodging, clothing, emotional support, information about the crisis, and family reunification.  There may also be special services like first aid, child minding, pet care and transportation. (Source: Public Safety & Emergency Services). 

FireSmart Last-Minute Wildfire Checklist | FireSmart BC: three checklists (PDF) during an evacuation: Evauation Tips, Quickly address outside surroundings, and checking around the house.

Animal Rescues in a Disaster 

Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT): Dedicated to animal welfare through the preparation for and the actual rescue and shelter of domestic animals and livestock in a disaster. 
Phone: 250-809-7152

Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART): A volunteer-based organization dedicated to animal welfare in times of a disaster or emergency, by providing sheltering, fostering or rescue of domesticated animals.

Returrning after an Evacuation

Recover after a wildfire - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca): Part of the provincial government site on Public Safety and Emergency Services.  This page shares information on getting ready to re-enter, food and water safety, cleaning and repairing your home, claiming insurance, and psychological care.

Re-entry Information Booklet | Regional District of the Central Okangan (kelowna.ca): A booklet (pdf) that includes information on key sources of information and contacts, tip sheets for re-entry, and FAQs around returning home.


Flood

Source: Province of British Columbia

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/drought-flooding-dikes-dams/river-forecast-centre

The River Forecast Centre analyses snow pack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in British Columbia’s rivers and streams. It produces a range of bulletins, maps and warnings to inform emergency managers and the public about current and upcoming streamflow conditions.


Cold Temperatures

Get prepared for winter weather and storms

Source: Government of BC

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/severe-weather/storms

Severe weather like snow, hail, blizzards, high winds, or heavy rain can happen without warning and can affect your safety in different ways. Extreme cold can be hazardous, and the risk increases the more time you spend outdoors. A PDF Guide is also available.

Your Health This Winter

Source: HealthLinkBC

With cooler temperatures, shorter days and the flu and cold season, winter may bring changes to our health. Throughout the winter, it is important that we continue to stay active, eat healthy, and take care of our families and ourselves.  Learn about staying healthy and safe this season.

Cold Temperature Exposure | HealthLink BC

Source: HealthLinkBC

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/illnesses-conditions/injuries/cold-temperature-exposure

It's easy to get cold quickly if you are outside in wet, windy, or cold weather. Cold temperature exposure can also happen if you spend time in a dwelling or other building that isn't well heated during cold weather.

Extreme cold

Source: Government of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/environment/extreme-cold.html

Canada has one of the most severe winter climates of any country in the world. Canadians across the country may face severe cold weather conditions that can affect their health. However, being active and enjoying winter activities and sports is a great way to stay healthy. Learn how to adjust to cold conditions so you can enjoy the winter weather.

Cold stress

Source: WorkSafe BC

https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/hazards-exposures/cold-stress

Cold stress can affect people working in cold or wet environments. Workers may show symptoms ranging from shivering to loss of consciousness.  This site specifically speaks to workers.

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