North Okanagan residents encouraged to be prepared for an emergency

With the recent extreme heat following a dry spring, North Okanagan residents are being encouraged to have an emergency plan ready and a grab-and-go bag at hand.

The Regional District of the North Okanagan has offered several tips help residents prepare themselves for an emergency such as a wildfire.

According to the regional district, an emergency plan serves as a playbook for how you and your household will respond to a disaster. Plans might include such things as out-of-town contacts, a designated meeting place and insurance information. A pre-made plan to help get started is available on the Prepared BC website.

Where applicable, plans should also be in place for large pets and livestock.

“Registering your commercial farm under Premises ID can assist the Ministry of Agriculture and the Emergency Operations Centre in coordinating mass livestock provisions and assistance,” says the regional district.

Also recommended is having an emergency kit and go-bag ready, for in the event of an emergency, you may need to leave your home with little notice. The regional district advises considering the unique needs of your household, such as items for your pets, children and seniors. Recommended items for go-bags include: seasonal clothing and footwear, first aid kit and medications, a copy of your emergency plan and important documents, pet food, your phone and charging cable, water (four litres per person, per day), non-perishable food to last three days to a week, a can opener, cash, personal toiletries and a battery powered or hand-crank radio and flashlight.

“Gather and organize your supplies now so that you’re prepared if a disaster strikes,” says the RDNO. “Keep these supplies in containers that are easy to transport and store them in an area that’s easy to get to.”

For more information, visit the B.C. government’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery web page, and/or subscribe to the RDNO’s emergency management newsletter.