Predator Ridge Community Safety
Raising Our Community Awareness through Prevention/Mitigation and Preparedness
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
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.”
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.
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.
Dear Neighbours,
Are you looking to learn more about FireSmart and what you can do to protect your home?
Join us at our upcoming clean-up event and learn what you can do to FireSmart your property. You can also visit the PRCEMC website at: PRCEMC.ca/FireSmart for more information and FireSmart resources.
CLEAN-UP EVENT: LONGSPOON COMMON PROPERTY – JUNE 11, 2022
The FireSmart Committee is excited to announce that a section of the Longspoon area will be hosting the next FireSmart clean-up event. The area to be cleaned up is a section of the common property that borders the Osprey Coach & Carriage duplex homes on Longspoon Drive.
The committee is currently looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up and welcome all helping hands. Our collective efforts will help make our community a safer place. Water and snacks will be provided as well as safety glasses, hi-vis vests, and gloves if you require them. Volunteers should be prepared for sloping and uneven ground and appropriate footwear should be worn. We will only focus on the PINK area at this event.
A safety orientation will be held at the Fire Station at 8:30 am prior to the cleanup event getting underway. We hope to see you there for a fun morning of FireSmart.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Saturday, JUNE 11, 2022
TIME: 8:30am – 12:00pm
LOCATION: Meet in front of the Fire Station on Predator Ridge Drive at 8:30 am.
*** IMPORTANT: ADVANCED SIGN UP REQUIRED ***
Please sign up by clicking the REGISTER NOW button below or visit:
https://predatorridge.wufoo.com/forms/firesmart-community-event/
If you have any questions please email us at: questions@prcemc.ca
Thank you in advance for donating your time and helping to make our community a better and safer place to live.
Sincerely,
Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC) FireSmart Team.
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.
Emergency Management in British Columbia is guided by four pillars: Mitigation, Preparation, Response and Recovery. Learn how the province is involved in emergencies and find resources for your household, neighbourhood and community. Find out More at Emergency Management BC
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:
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
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
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!
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.
Our best defense is a good offence. Be prepared and have a well thought out plan including:
There are three (3) stages to an evacuation.
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.
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.
Dear Homeowners,
This wildfire season has been an exhausting one on many fronts. We are fortunate however, that we are seeing some reprieve from the weather and a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the smoke and wildfires this year. Please keep in mind though, fire season runs from April 1st to October 31st.
In an ongoing attempt to keep all our residents safe, we have been reviewing additional avenues to enhance our community’s safety. Our committee has done some extensive research regarding the use of emergency alert systems and their effectiveness in remote and semi remote communities.
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.
We have looked at other communities that have successfully utilized cell phone and email technology in tandem with an emergency alert system to notify their community of imminent danger. Using all these systems together provides far better coverage and peace of mind to residents.
Accordingly, we are proposing the acquisition and installation of a High Power Directional Siren to be centrally located within the Predator Ridge Resort. Accordingly, we have completed a cost analysis for the acquisition and installation of an Emergency Alert Siren and related equipment. The cost of the acquisition and installation would be in the neighbourhood of $100,000.00.
With approximately 800 households in the community, if each household contributed a minimum amount of $100.00, we could reach our target goal of $75,000. Once we raise this initial amount, Predator Ridge (Wesbild) and Sparkling Hill Resort will contribute the remaining amount up to $25,000.00. This cost sharing ratio was calculated based on the table below.
Figure 1
A meeting has been scheduled with City of Vernon officials and the City of Vernon Fire Chief, to discuss and firm up roles and responsibilities in the management of a Predator Ridge Community Emergency Alert Siren.
In order to proceed with this project, we would like to survey the community and ask for your support to raise the funds for the purchase and installation of an Emergency Alert Siren. Please take the time to review the material located within the attached links:
1. Link to Emergency Alert System Information Package
2. Link to High Power Directional Siren Specs
If you are willing to support this important community project, Please click the SURVEY link text in the Community Message that was sent out to all residents on September 23rd, through the Community Messaging email. Please complete ONLY ONE survey per household. The survey will run for 14 days (Sept 23 – Oct 6th)
We would like to have the Emergency Alert Siren installed in the spring of 2022, so it is up and functional for the start of the next fire season. If you have any questions please email us at: questions@prcemc.ca
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support on this very important initiative.
Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee,
Jim Popowich,
Jane Toppozini
Gord Wilson
Colleen Scott
Luiz Araujo
As the hot and dry weather continues across BC, it’s important to keep wildfire prevention and mitigation top of mind. Check out Ember’s Den for helpful resources and tips for the whole family to get FireSmart!
To many, Embers from a fire may seem small and inconsequential. But these tiny flittering offshoots can travel a great distance and cause real world devastation.
For even more information, listen to the Get FireSmart™ Podcast where we interview experts from the world of wildfire. The Get FireSmart™ Podcast is available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
