Category: News

Important Community Message

Predator Ridge Community Emergency Evacuation Siren

HISTORY:

Dear Homeowners,
Our 2021 wildfire season was an exhausting one on many fronts.  We experienced unseasonable hot dry weather, a wave of unpredictable forest fires and smoke throughout our entire province. Thankfully, we had a bit of a reprieve this past summer, however forecasted trends in weather patterns show hotter and dryer summers ahead with an increased risk of wildfire.

In an ongoing attempt to keep all our residents safe, Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC) looked at additional avenues to enhance our community’s safety. We have been working with both Predator Ridge and Sparkling Hill, and we have all agreed that although the current technology of using cell phone and email alerts is effective, it may not be the total solution for our community should the City of Vernon ever need to get an emergency alert out to all the guests, visitors and Predator Ridge residents, especially in the middle of the night.  

Additional information can be found on our website: https://prcemc.ca/alert-siren/

PRESENT :

PRCEMC is proud to announce that we have been successful with our proposal to the City of Vernon regarding the acquisition, installation and management of the Predator Ridge Emergency Evacuation Siren (EES).  Over the past year we have worked closely with Predator Ridge, Sparkling Hill, and the City of Vernon, and we have all agreed that, although the current technology of using cell phone and email alerts is effective, it may not be the total solution for our community should the City of Vernon ever need to get an evacuation alert out to all guests, visitors and Predator Ridge residents, especially in the middle of the night.

We have looked at other communities that have successfully utilized cell phone and email technology in tandem with an EES to notify their community of imminent danger.  Using all these systems together provides far better coverage and peace of mind to all residents.

An updated cost estimate and call for additional bids was undertaken for the acquisition and installation of the EES and related equipment.  The final cost of the acquisition and installation is still in line to what had been forecasted at the beginning of the project: $112,000. Based on approximate population estimates of each stakeholder group throughout the fire season (PR Community, PR Resort and Sparkling Hill) we have agreed upon the following fair and equitable contributions to the project.

STAKEHOLDER CONTRIBUTION
Predator Ridge Residents60,000.00
Predator Ridge Resort (Wesbuild)30,000.00
Sparkling Hill Resort22,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST$112,000.00
Stakeholder Contribution Table

With approximately 750 households in the community, if each household contributes an amount between $75.00 and $100.00, we could easily reach our target goal of $60,000. 

We recognize that not everyone’s financial situation is the same, so we ask that you please support as best you can, and if your circumstances allow for additional funds, we would welcome the support.  At the end of the day we are all building a better, safer community together.

The EES is scheduled to be installed in April/May for the start of the 2023 Fire Season.

There will be information and educational sessions held this spring to ensure everyone understands the process and procedures should we find our community in an emergency evacuation situation where the EES would need to be activated.

If you have any questions please email us at: questions@prcemc.ca or visit the Siren Information page.

To provide your contribution, please visit our GoFundMe Page or click on the Donate now button below.

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. 

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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.

Thanks to these dedicated FireSmart Volunteers for a job very well done!

Birdie Lake Court Gets FireSmart

We did it – cut, raked, collected, filled the large bin, built muscles and friendship.

Eva & Larry Poxon

With help and mentorship of Predator Ridge Landscape Manager, Breanne Tripp, neighbours Toby Frisk, Deb Hobbs, Bob Wade, Neil Bowler, Eva Poxon and Larry Poxon went to work to make their properties more FireSmart.

It is amazing how much work can be achieved with a great team of motivated adults! 4-days of pleasure went by sooo quickly.

Working over a period of 4-days from Thursday to Sunday, the neighbours invested a total of 50 hours on lots 7 thru 12 to make their properties & community more resistant to wildfire.

A big shoutout to Breanne Tripp for all her guidance and help in providing a very large bin that was completely filled. Breanne is also a member of the PRCEMC FireSmart Committee.

Congratulations you guys on a JOB Well Done!

Are You Prepared?

Dear Homeowner, 

Being prepared before and when disaster strikes is something only you can initiate. There are many great resources readily available that will help you understand what potential hazards you might face and what you can do to be prepared for them. However, the responsibility lies with each of us individually to seek out this information and be prepared for the unexpected. 

The following is a list of resource that will help you be better prepared for an emergency: 

◆ Know Your Hazards

Being aware of what hazards you should prepare for is the first step in emergency preparedness. Although severe weather, power outages etc. are factors, one of the most likely and significant threats to our community is wildfire. Because we live in a wild land interface area, it’s important that we are ready and understand what to do before, during and after a wildfire. 
The Wildfire Preparedness Guide is an excellent resource to help you plan for such an emergency. + Click here to access the Wildfire Preparedness Guide

◆  Build a Household Emergency Kit & Grab and Go Bag 

At the onset of a disaster, you might need to stay at home with your emergency kit, or you may need to leave at a moment’s notice with your grab and go bags. Now is the time to gather and organize supplies so you are ready should disaster strike. + Click here to access instructions and videos, on how to build a household emergency kit & grab-and-go bag 

◆  Make Your Emergency Plan

A well thought out emergency plan communicated with everyone in your household can save time (and lives) during an emergency. Everyone will know what to do, where to call and how to stay safe if an emergency were to happen. Make sure to review the plan with each member of your household and involve them in the planning process. Keep a copy of this plan in an easy to find and easy to remember place. If you have out-of-town visitors staying with you during wildfire season – tell them about your plan!

◆  Register with the City of Vernon Connect (NOW) 

The Vernon Connect App is now up and running and available for all devices. Visit the App Store or Google Play to download. Among the many things you can use the app for, the emergency alert feature will kick in if an emergency occurs that requires residents to act. In such cases, the “report a problem” banner changes to read “alert” and the colour changes from green to red. Residents should read the alert to help decide next steps.

If you don’t have a smart phone, you can still subscribe to stay up to date on the latest news and events happening in the Vernon area. + Click here to register.

Guidelines and Best Practices to Help Us,
In the Event an Evacuation Alert or Evacuation Order Is Issued:

Preparing for an Evacuation

Our best defense is a good offence. Be prepared and have a well thought out plan including:

  1. Grab and Go Kits are ready with clothing and valuables 
  2. Written list of who is to do what in house, readily available 
  3. Set up links to monitor for City of Vernon communication and media: 
  4. Preselect a meeting place for your family in case you are separated when an Evacuation Order is called. For example, a local coffee shop, the mall parking lot, a friend or relative’s house, etc. 
  5. Keep the gas tank of at least one personal vehicle always full. 
  6. Make sure you have one or two of your neighbours’ cell phone numbers in case you need to connect with them. 
  7. Also, it is a good idea to have that information handy in case you have a neighbour who is not tech savvy and may need your help accessing the right information. 
  8. Let your neighbour or a community friend know if you are going on vacation so that you can be accounted for if there is ever an evacuation. 
  9. If you can, set up an alternate place to stay, should an evacuation happen (e.g., stay with family or friends in another location). 
  10. Make sure you are registered with Block Watch in the event a phone tree of communication is ever needed. 
  11. There is an alternate emergency exit up at Sparkling Hill, it is currently gated and locked. In the event that it is required during an evacuation, it will be unlocked by authorized EM personal and could be used as our second exit out, if and only if we are instructed to go that way. DO NOT USE this exit, UNLESS we have been given clear instructions to do so.
Stages of Evacuation

There are three (3) stages to an evacuation. 

  1. Alert Stage 
  2. Evacuation Stage 
  3. Evacuation Rescinded Stage 

First and foremost, follow the instructions provided by the local emergency coordinators & responders. You are prepared because you have made an emergency plan and your grab-and-go kits are ready to go. 

Stage 1: Standing by on Alert 
  1. Have your grab-and-go kit ready and packed in the vehicle, along with any personal items that you want to bring with you. 
  2. Cell phone charged and charger, car keys and wallets etc. close by. 
  3. Monitor the City of Vernon media outlets, Vernon Connect, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook for information on evacuation orders and location of Evacuation Reception Centres. 
  4. Check Vernon Castanet online for new updates. 
  5. Monitor local radio stations for updates (Vernon’s Pure Country 105.7 and Beach Radio 107.5 FM). 
  6. Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Alert or Order be called while separated. 
  7. Arrange transportation for all your household members. Depending on the situation transportation may be provided.
  8. Ensure alternate accommodation for all members of the family are set up and confirmed 
  9. Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours. If assistance is needed reach out to first responders. 
  10. Prepare to take pets with you. 
  11. Remove combustibles such as patio cushions, plastics etc. from the exterior of your home. Bring these items inside your home or garage. 
  12. Do not drive towards the danger if it is close by, as it could create congestion and confusion for the first responders.
Stage 2: Order to Evacuate
  1. The order to evacuate usually comes from the City of Vernon Emergency Management Services. Depending on the situation, the order could come from other authorities including the RCMP or BC WildFire Service.  
  2. Emergency officials may instruct you to shut off your utilities, or they may end up being shut off by the utility company to protect the natural gas or electricity systems. Do not shut off your natural gas unless instructed to do so.
  3. Leave the house. Do not try to stay to protect your property, as this just causes more work for the first response personal who are trying to get us all out safely and do their jobs. 
  4. Drive slowly and safely with the traffic, be kind, be calm, let people out of their driveways so we can all get out safely. Drive in an orderly fashion, using the zipper method to allow traffic to flow evenly. 
  5. One vehicle per household will help alleviate the congestion on the streets and roadways. 
  6. Follow the signs if they have had time to place them. If not, watch for emergency personnel who will be directing traffic and evacuation flow. 
  7. Put the OK sign in your window as you leave, lock all the doors and windows. + Click here to download a printable Emergency OK sign 
  8. Once you are safely out of danger and if an Evacuation Centre has been set up, please make sure you register so that Emergency Support Services will have you accounted for. Register your family at the Evacuation Center or online with the Provincial Emergency Support Services at https://ess.gov.bc.ca
Stage 3: Evacuation Rescinded 
  1. The order to rescind the alert or evacuation will come from City of Vernon EMS. 
  2. It will be posted on all City of Vernon communication and media sites and at the Evacuation Centre or Command Post. 
  3. Do not return home until the order has been rescinded.

If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to your PRCEMC online at: PRCEMC.ca/Contact-Us.

Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC)

Jane Toppozini, Gord Wilson, Luiz Araujo, Karen Grimsrud, Robert Scott, Colleen Scott.