Thank you in advance for supporting Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management and our Community Safety Program.

It takes all of us, working together, to build a stronger, safer community….

Your PRCEMC Team
Gord Wilson; Jane Toppozini; Karen Grimsrud; Robert Scott

How BC Wildfire Service responds to wildfires: Structure protection

BC Wildfire Service firefighting crews are not trained or equipped to fight structural fires. However, we can deploy structure protection specialists whose function is to help protect homes and other types of buildings that may be threatened by wildfire.

Read more about this on the BC Wildfire Website

Lessons from the Lytton fire

Publishing Date

September 12, 2022
Source: Union of BC Municipalities – Latest News

Wildfire is “inevitable, appropriate and essential” stated Dr. Jack Cohen, retired Research Scientist from US Forest Service, at a UBCM Convention study session on lessons learned from the 2021 Lytton fire. Cohen asked delegates to consider how we can prepare now to ensure that future community wildfire disasters are reduced in scale and impact.

Through a series of compelling images and videos from recent wildfire disasters in North America, Dr. Cohen explained that wildfires may initiate community disasters, but that it is the local condition of homes and structures, specifically the susceptibility to embers, that determines whether the fire will move through the community. “Ignition resistance is a community responsibility” stated Cohen, and it creates the conditions for effective suppression.

This was the case in the wildfire that destroyed much of the Village of Lytton. Dr. Cohen explained that within an hour, the surface fire had burned four separate paths through the village and overwhelmed response capacity. By his calculation, upwards of 300 firefighters would have been needed within a few hours in order to handle the number of structure fires that had ignited.

To answer the question of how homes and structures actually ignite, Alan Westhaver, wildfire consultant and researcher, walked delegates through the concept of the Home Ignition Zone and the most common ignition vulnerabilities: structures, vegetation and other flammable materials.

Finally, a panel of local government representatives and the provincial lead for FireSmartBC provided additional insight. Highlighting the importance of local education, policy and planning tools, and dedicated FireSmart staff, the panel reminded delegates to focus on actions in their own neighbourhoods and communities.

Pointing to the principles of FireSmart, Dr. Cohen chimed “do the little things that make a big difference.”

City of Vernon is now on Alertable

The City of Vernon’s Emergency Program has expanded its ability to share time sensitive emergency-related information with residents, businesses, and visitors, by arranging to use a digital notification system called Alertable.

With this system, the City will be able to send direct notifications to subscribers through a smart phone app, by phone, text message, or email, to share information and direction related to large scale emergencies such as wildfires, floods, or other hazards that may occur within the municipal boundary.

“In order to receive these notifications from the City of Vernon, you must subscribe to Alertable and choose your preferred method of communication. There is no cost to the public to receive these notifications and signing up is easy,” said Sue Saunders, Emergency Program Coordinator. “The City encourages all residents to subscribe today.”

It’s important to note that only critical notifications (such as an Evacuation Order) will be delivered via phone call or text message. However, all types of notifications will be delivered via the Alertable smart phone app, email, Alertable.ca, home speaker systems, and social media.

The smart phone app is the recommended option for using the system, which also allows users to access DriveBC and Environment Canada weather alerts on their smart phone device.

Once you sign up for Alertable, be sure to follow ‘Vernon, BC’ to receive notifications for emergency situations within Vernon’s municipal boundary.

The Alertable notification system is made in Canada. It provides many options to receive direct notifications through your preferred digital device. Notifications are fast, reliable, and easy to see and hear which can also be personalized by type and severity.

For more information on how to subscribe or to download the free Alertable smart phone app, visit: www.vernon.ca/alertable.

Insurance vs Emergency Support Services (ESS)

Important links

Insurance Bureau of Canada: http://assets.ibc.ca/Documents/Disaster/BC-Wildfire-Additional-Living-Expenses.pdf .
Insurance Bureau of Canada 1-844-227-5422

How Emergency Support Services Works: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/ess/ess-how. ESS Info Centre 1-800-585-9559

All Supports for Evacuees: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/wildfire-recovery/

Evacuation Alert

Individuals in communities that have been placed under an Evacuation Alert must be prepared to leave their homes on short notice but do not need to immediately evacuate.

Neither home/tenant/condo insurance nor ESS provides support for people who evacuate while under evacuation alert. If you choose to evacuate before an evacuation order, keep in mind that you are responsible for all expenses. If an order is implemented later, supports would start on the date the order is issued. Contact your First Nations government or Local Authority if you have any health or evacuation concerns.

Evacuation Order

Those who have been placed under an evacuation order must leave the area immediately.

Insurance

Standard home, tenant and condo insurance policies provide coverage for some of your expenses (including accommodation) when you leave your home due to a mandatory evacuation order. This coverage begins the day the evacuation order is issued and continues based on the limits of your policy. Depending on your policy, you might also qualify for other coverage even if your home has not suffered damage, for example for freezer contents spoiled if the power goes out while you are evacuated.

Contact your insurance representative or insurance broker as soon as possible after you have safely evacuated to notify them of the evacuation order, determine what coverage applies to you, discuss any concerns about insurance deductibles, and begin a claim. If you don’t know who your broker is, need support with your insurance claim, or have other insurance questions, you can call the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422.

Emergency Support Services

When your insurance coverage has been exhausted while you are evacuated, you may be eligible for ESS supports. ESS provides needs-based, safety-net supports on a case-by-case basis to people displaced from their primary residence. Go to a Reception Centre, meet with an ESS responder, and complete a needs assessment. If deemed eligible for ESS supports, you may be issued referral vouchers for essentials such as food, clothing, lodging an/or incidentals depending on your needs.

Evacuation from a secondary residence or vacation/recreation property is not eligible for ESS supports. If ordered to evacuate, you should return to your primary residence.

Visitors to British Columbia – Alert or Order

If you are visiting an area under evacuation alert or order, leave the area immediately and contact your travel insurance provider to notify them of the evacuation order and arrange supports. Stranded travellers should contact a Reception Center: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/wildfires-2021/ for more information.

Download a PDF copy of this Post

Vernon Fire Rescue readying itself for increased risk of wildfire conditions

Emergencies can happen anytime and Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) is taking steps to ready itself for the height of wildfire season and reminding citizens and visitors about the important things we can all do to keep each other safe.

Already this year, fire departments across the North Okanagan have responded to multiple grass and wildland fires and the fire danger rating has fluctuated between low and high at various times.

“The risk of wildfire can change quickly, particularly when we are experiencing heat like we’ve seen this week,” said Fire Chief David Lind. “We need to practice fire safety all the time, and when high heat and sunshine are drying out the region, we need to pay even closer attention to our activities.

“If people are spending time in the mountains, around lakes, in camping areas, or on trails, it’s paramount that everyone does their part to prevent human-caused wildfires to protect themselves, our communities, and our emergency responders.”

Throughout the summer season, VFRS will adjust its operations, as necessary, to have firefighters stationed at Fire Station 3 during higher risk periods.

“Residents in the Predator Ridge area may notice career and auxiliary firefighters working and training out of Station 3 at various times when the fire danger rating is listed as extreme, particularly during the hottest part of the day when fire behaviour can be more aggressive,” said Chief Lind.

The City of Vernon would like to thank the public for helping to prevent wildfires. To report an emergency or wildfire in the City of Vernon call 911. To report a wildfire, call the BC Wildfire Service at 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions and more, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.

City of Vernon Supports Evacuation Siren

The PRCEMC committee, with the support of City of Vernon staff have made a successful presentation to Mayor and Council asking for a resolution that the City of Vernon Fire Rescue Services adopt the use of the Predator Ridge Emergency Alert Siren as a component of the City’s Emergency Management Program, and that the City of Vernon be the agency responsible for activation of the siren if an evacuation is ordered.

The PRCEMC will now move forward with repricing and securing bids on the siren and installation. Following this we will arrange for an equitable cost sharing agreement with the other stakeholders. The cost apportioned to Predator Residents will be fundraised within the Predator Ridge Community.

Pending a successful fundraising campaign, we aim to have the Evacuation Order Siren operational for the 2023 fire season.

Stay tuned for additional updates from your PRCEMC as they become available.

Read the letter from Mayor Cumming

Read the story on Castanet here.

Longspoon Common Property gets FireSmart

A section of the common property that borders the Osprey Coach & Carriage duplex homes on Longspoon Drive was targeted for a FireSmart Cleanup on Saturday June 11th.

A group of over 30 volunteers attacked this very steep and hard to access property, laddering trees and cleaning up debris and dead wood. The debris was hauled to the bottom of the slope adjacent the golf course fairway at hole #7 of the Predator course.

As well, an old barbed wire fence was dismantled and the wire was rolled up and disposed of, making the are safer for wildlife and hikers.

A future FireSmart Event will be held in this area in the fall, once the golf season has ended when we will load the debris into disposal bins and remove to the Vernon Landfill.