Okanagan residents urged to be prepared for emergencies, prepare a grab-and-go kit – Okanagan | 24CA News
May 7 marks the beginning of Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada and that has officers urging the general public to all the time be prepared within the occasion of catastrophe.
“Whether it’s wildfire or flooding or earthquake or tsunami, being prepared is a must for any person, any household in British Columbia and that means having a household plan and emergency plan,” mentioned Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management.
Ma made the feedback on Monday as she briefed the general public on the present flood and wildfire state of affairs in B.C.
She urged British Columbians to make sure they’ve a seize and go bag prepared within the occasion they need to flee their properties.
“(A) grab-and-go bag is a bag that you’re able to grab on short notice as you’re heading out the door during an evacuation order when the evacuation order comes in,” Ma mentioned.
Here within the Okanagan, emergency preparedness officers echoed the sentiment, saying the the time to plan is now and never when an emergency is unfolding.
“We can have an emergency at any time,” mentioned Sandra Follack, Central Okanagan’s emergency preparedness coordinator. “We do have freshet right now, so we are concerned about flooding. However, an emergency can occur when you least expect it.”
Follack mentioned her grab-and-go equipment is all the time within the trunk of her automobile.
She added it’s a good suggestion to have greater than only one.
“You should always have at least one in your car, one in the house and even possibly one at work because you never know when the emergency strikes and where you’re going to be.” she mentioned.
For residents who have already got a grab-and-go equipment, Follack suggested to make sure it’s refreshed and replenished and that it’s stocked for no less than three days.
“A 72-hour kit is advisable,” Follack mentioned. “You need to be able to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours.”
The grab-and-go equipment ought to accommodates gadgets similar to water, meals, remedy, glasses, batteries, cellphone chargers, a primary support equipment, clothes, blankets, and a flashlight.
More details about emergency preparedness will be accessed on the Central Okanagan Emergency Program web site.
As a part of Emergency Preparedness Week, Alert Ready, Canada’s emergency alert system, will conduct an emergency notification take a look at on Wednesday May 10.
During the take a look at, individuals will hear or see the message on radio, TV and appropriate wi-fi units.
You can go to the Alert Ready web site to be taught extra.
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