The PRCEMC will be making a presentation to Vernon City Council on Monday, June 13th at 1:30 pm.
The presentation will request incorporation of the Predator Ridge Emergency Alert Siren into the Emergency Evacuation Plan.
Tag: Community News
FireSmart Community Event
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 contact us.
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.
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!
Community Safety Message
Dear Neighbour’s,
As you know, last week Predator Ridge fell victim to a criminal attack on several community mailboxes resulting in the theft of personal mail and packages as well as the destruction of numerous mailboxes.
These incidents have been reported to the RCMP and Canada Post (CP), by First Landmark, the PRCEMC, Block Watch and some residents. This is the first time that our community has been targeted in such a brazen and widespread manner, and as you can imagine residents of Predator Ridge are very concerned.
In conversation with a local Canada Post supervisor on Monday January 17, we were informed of the following.
- Canada Post and the RCMP are aware of the situation.
- Canada Post is sending a security representative to Predator this week to review the vandalism and extent of the damage.
- ONLY Mailboxes that have been vandalized and the locks are broken will have their mail held at the Canada Post main office in Vernon until the mailboxes are repaired.
- Mailboxes that have not been damaged will continue to receive mail delivery.
- Mailboxes where only the parcel boxes have been vandalized will have their parcels delivered to their doors. (we spoke directly to our local area CP carrier on this). Personal mail will continue to be delivered to the mailboxes (e.g. Lower Falcon point)
- We have been notified by the local carrier that both Birdie Lake Place and Court have been repaired and mail delivery has resumed.
- All of the mailboxes that were damaged were the older brown-based models that are easily vandalized and are often targeted. To have these older mailboxes replaced with new tamper proof boxes we encourage residents to call the CP Costumer Service and request an upgraded to the new grey tamper proof mailboxes. CP Customer Service 1-866-607-6301
- If you are in any way concerned for the safety of your expecting parcels, have them redirected to Canada Post main office in Vernon.
- To pick up your mail in Vernon you will need identification with your picture on it. (Driver’s license or BC Service Card).
Canada Post Main Office Vernon
3101 32nd Ave, Vernon, BC V1T 2M0
Our Block Watch Captains and PRCEMC will continue to keep you posted as new information becomes available. In the mean time, be vigilant and report all suspicious activities to the RCMP (911 or non-emergency number 250-545-7171) and also inform your Block Watch Captain.
If you see a crime in progress call 911 immediately. Do Not confront the criminals.
Our Block Watch neighbours make a commitment to watch out for each other’s homes and report suspicious activities to the police and to each other. They also keep each other informed about neighbourhood occurrences, burglary, thefts, and other crimes or problems occurring on their streets. If you have any questions or concerns about security and safety in your neighbourhood please contact your Block Watch Captain.
If you are not a member of Block Watch and would like to be on the Block Watch roster please email us at: https://prcemc.ca/contact-block-watch/
Yours Truly,
Luiz Araujo
on behalf of Predator Ridge Block Watch Committee & the PRCEMC
Community Safety Contest Winners
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRCEMC Community Safety Contest Winners:
PRCEMC would like to extend a congratulations to the winners of our Community Safety Draw held in December.
- 1st Prize Winner- Set of Head Lamps was won by Jeff Biggs
- 2nd Prize Winner – Reflective Safety Vest was won by Laurie Parsons
- 3rd Prize Winner. – Reflective Safety Vest was won by Cheryl Dobrowolski
Thank you to everyone for participating. Keep an eye for our next news letter and draw!! Be Safe, Be Seen
In Memory of Jim Popowich
It is with great sadness and respect that the PRCEMC announces the passing of our dearest friend and community leader, Jim Popowich. Jim was a born leader and that’s how he leaves us. Jim and Laverne have been pillars of this community for as long as anyone can remember. He will be sorely missed and Laverne no doubt will continue to be supported by all of us who will proudly carry on Jim’s legacy.
So much needs to, and will be, said about Jim and his contributions to our Predator Ridge community but, on behalf of the PRCEMC, we wish to say that we could not have asked for a more committed, trustworthy and passionate Chairperson of our Committee. Jim was instrumental in establishing and maintaining our direct working relationship with the City of Vernon Emergency Management Committee and was never hesitant to assist other communities that wanted to learn from the PRCEMC’s efforts and accomplishments (e.g., being a FireSmart certified community since 2016).
Lastly, knowing Jim as we all did, he would want us to focus on moving forward and building on what he led us to achieve. On behalf of all members of the PRCEMC, we will do our best to carry on, for and on behalf of Jim.
PRCEMC Community Safety Message
Dear Neighbours;
To say that 2021 was a challenging year would be an understatement. During the continuing COVID pandemic, we managed through a significant heat dome in early summer that set the stage for one of the worst wildfire seasons ever throughout the province. If that wasn’t enough, this fall has recorded some of the heaviest rainfall coastal areas have ever seen, resulting in serious flooding and damage to structures, the transportation infrastructure and supply chains.
While one might ask, “what could be next?”, a better question is, “how can I be better prepared?”
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER
Severe weather like snow storms, thunderstorms, hail, freezing rain, blizzards, high winds or heavy rain can happen with little warning, and in any season and these severe weather patterns can often cause a loss of power. When preparing for potential severe weather, it is a good rule of thumb to be prepared for at least 48 – 72 hours of isolation.
It is important to have an emergency plan and have done some preparation, in the event that we are isolated for an extended time. BC Emergency Management has some excellent advice and information on Preparing for Severe Weather and power outages:
A power outage can involve a short- or long-term loss of electricity to an area, and we may find ourselves without light, heat and hot water. In the event of a power outage in our area, it is always a good idea to confirm that BC Hydro is aware of it. The faster they are advised, the sooner they can dispatch repair crews. To confirm power outages are reported in our area, go to BC Hydro’s outage list/map.
If our area does not appear on the BC Hydro map or list of outages call BC Hydro and log the outage as soon as possible: 1-800-224-9376.
https://www.bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-list.html
SAFETY
Winter is upon us and the shorter darker days are here once again. The cold weather, ice, and snow can also increase the chances of slips and falls. If you are out walking on the roadways with family, friends and pets, please keep in mind that you are not always visible to oncoming traffic especially at dawn, dusk and at night. Wearing some form of reflective clothing or headlamps is one way to stay VISIBLE. With the fluctuating temperatures, the road and pathways can be very icy and slippery. Wearing cleats and using poles is an excellent way to prevent any unexpected and possibly dangerous falls.
CBC Marketplace did a study this year to find out which winter boots were actually better for winter walking or hiking. The article “5 out of 6 winter boots fail slip test on ice” can be found here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-boot-test-1.6252613
BLOCK WATCH
2021 has been a quiet year for Block Watch activities here at Predator Ridge, which means another successful and crime-free period in our community. The pandemic has limited our Block Watch yearly meetings with Captains, Co-Captains and especially our newer residents. If you have recently moved to Predator Ridge and have not been contacted by your neighbourhood Block Watch Captain/Co-Captain, please contact the Predator Ridge Block Watch Committee at blockwatch_predator_ridge@prcemc.ca or visit us at our website at https://prcemc.ca/block-watch/. Please continue to look after each other. Turn on your outside lights at dusk and help keep our neighbourhoods safe.
FIRESMART
With the proximity of the White Rock Lake Fire this summer, many Predator Ridge residents tackled their own personal FireSmart cleanups around their homes.
This fall two significant FireSmart Events were held in our community. On Saturday, October 23rd, a sanctioned clean-up was held in the Commonage neighbourhood with over 35 volunteers from all over Predator Ridge attending. It was a great day and we filled two 25-yard waste disposal bins right to the top. And on October 24th, Osprey Green Townhomes residents rolled up their sleeves and cleaned up a section of their common land that bordered #7 fairway of the Predator golf course.
To view further details and pictures of the 2021 FireSmart neighbourhood clean-ups here at Predator Ridge, visit the website at: FireSmart (https://prcemc.ca/firesmart/)
EMERGENCY ALERT SIREN SURVEY
The Emergency Alert Siren Survey results were very positive. 675 residents were surveyed and 540 responded. 78% of those who took the survey were in favour of the siren and 69% were in favour of paying $100.00 to support of the acquisition and installation of an emergency alert siren. The decision was made to move forward and present the proposal to the City of Vernon. PRCEMC members met with City of Vernon Officials on November 4th to present the project proposal. The City Fire Chief reviewed the material favourably and asked for a few weeks to further discuss the proposal and how they might incorporate the emergency alert siren within their existing emergency management system.
If the City agrees to incorporate the emergency alert siren into its existing emergency management plan, and will take on primary authority over the horn, then PRCEMC will move forward with further community engagement. The City will meet and discuss their decision mid-December.
For further details and survey results visit the PRCEMC website. https://prcemc.ca/alert-siren/
TRAFFIC FLOW
There has been a fair amount of discussion over the past few months regarding the increase in traffic volume and speed on some of our community roadways. PRCEMC members did meet with City of Vernon official to review Birdie Lake Drive and Falcon Point Way, resulting in the replacement and upgrading of a proper stop sign and installation of a warning sign ahead. We also engaged with Wesbild regarding the increase in traffic flow and the challenges the community is experiencing due to the increase in traffic. Predator recognize that there are some challenges with the current traffic flow and volume, and have agreed to take time over the winter to determine the right plan of action for moving forward.
COMMONAGE ROAD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE – CRIC
As the Commonage Road Improvement Committee has completed their objectives and the committee will be winding down, we would like to thank the committee for their contribution to building a safer community. All of their efforts to have improvements made to Commonage Road have been greatly appreciated by all. Thank you to Jane Toppozini, Gord Ball and Morgan Grant.
ADDITION TO PRCEMC
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Karen Grimsrud to the PRCEMC. Karen has recently moved to our community and brings with her a wealth of expereince in emergency management planning, she will be a great resource to the community and a welcomed addtion to our committee.
COMMUNITY SAFETY CONTEST
The PRCEMC is hosting a community safety contest! Winners will receive either a set of Head Lamps or a Reflective Vest. To enter simply answer a few questions regarding Community Safety and your name will be entered into a draw to win a Head Lamp or Reflective Vest. Contest will close midnight on December 18th, 2021. (Please only one entry per person).
Click here to enter the Contest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_rG0IWB0m2zYOeXDZZF9mpJYgdGXADBycRwoHrlIhzg/edit
We wish you all a safe, and very Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year 2022.
Sincerely,
Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC)
Jim Popowich
Colleen Scott
Jane Toppozini
Gordon Wilson
Luiz Araujo
Karen Grimsrud
Important Community Message
Predator Ridge Community Emergency Alert Siren
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.
Contribution Breakdown by Community Groups
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 contact us.
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
A COMMUNITY AWARENESS MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRCEMC
Community Safety
is our number one priority
Dear Neighbour,
Looking in the rear-view mirror, 2020 will be a year forever rooted in all our memories. It was a year that fundamentally challenged how we think about our health, our safety and our future.
We have endured an unbelievable year of challenges, but we have also witnessed a time of positive opportunities and change. The pandemic has shown us that working together, we can achieve great things. Our community, our country and the world have all come together to find ways to fight back against COVID-19.
We are especially proud of how our own community has come together to help support and protect one another. Here at Predator Ridge, we are fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteers that participate in the FireSmart and Block Watch programs and the Commonage Road Improvement Committee (CRIC) that continues to pursue major improvements to Commonage Road. This year, in the spirit of the holidays, we also saw both the community and Predator Ridge come together to participate in one of the best displays of Christmas lights ever.
We are also grateful to Predator Ridge, for their swift action in adapting new policies, procedures and thorough communications over this past year. They went above and beyond, creating new activities to help keep us safe, healthy and connected. From online music nights, virtual wine tastings, fitness classes and cooking classes, ploughed trails, a skating rink, golf simulators and the amazing holiday fireworks, we can’t say thank you enough!
PREDATOR RIDGE COMMUNITY SAFETY UPDATES:
Safety
With the winter season now upon us, many of us turn our thoughts to the beauty and fun of skating on natural ice on local ponds and lakes. Many factors can affect ice thickness including: type of water, location and the time of year. Why not take a moment to refresh your knowledge of ice safety by visiting this Red Cross website for some excellent information before you venture out on the ice.
This year with so many of us out walking on the roadways with family, friends and our pets it is important to be safe and visible. Please keep in mind that we are not always visible to oncoming traffic especially at dawn, dusk and at night. Wearing some form of reflective clothing or headlamps is one way to stay VISABLE. With the fluctuating temperatures, the road and pathways can be very icy and slippery. Wearing cleats is an excellent way to prevent an unexpected and possibly dangerous fall.
This year there have been several coyote sightings in and around our neighbourhoods. We remind our residents that we live in nature’s back yard. Contact with wildlife can occur and we need to be aware of how to respond. For more information on keeping wildlife wild and communities safe, visit the Wild Safe BC site of the BC Conservation Foundation.
Emergency Preparedness Throughout the Winter
During the next few months, it is important for us to think about being prepared for emergencies such as snow and or ice storms that could result in either road closures or power outages. We need to be prepared to be isolated for a period of 48 to 72 hours. Click the following link to preparedness at the Prepared BC website.
Block Watch
Our neighbourhoods have been made safer with the help of community Volunteer Block Watch Captains. We are one of the most organized Block Watch areas in the interior and have received many accolades for it. Visit our Community Safety website to discover more about what Block Watch is doing in our community: Block Watch.
Commonage Road Improvement Committee – CRIC
We will continue to monitor the winter road maintenance and the challenges we have experienced with ACCIONA Infrastructure and Maintenance (AIM). In late December we received a response to the Letter of Concern CRIC sent to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures Deputy Minister. + View the letter from MoTI Deputy Minister.
FireSmart
Citizen involvement is the cornerstone of the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program and here at Predator Ridge, we have no lack of involvement from our residents. Our community has been on the forefront of earning recognition as a FireSmart Neighbourhood and 2020 has been no exception. On October 17th, neighbours turned out in full force to clean-up a portion of the Birdie Lake Trail. In addition, throughout the entire year, many residents worked towards making our community that much more FireSmart by cleaning up their own private properties. To learn more about the FireSmart program here at Predator Ridge, visit the website at FireSmart.
In Closing
We continue to work with the City of Vernon and provincial authorities to provide information that is essential to our community well being. To view this information please visit Community Safety at Predator Ridge.
We trust that in spite of the many challenges in 2020, we have much to be grateful for in our community. We wish our entire community the absolute best in 2021.
Sincerely,
Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC)
Jim Popowich
Colleen Scott
Jane Toppozini
Gord Wilson
Kathy Pedersen
Luiz Araujo
A Community Awareness Message from your PRCEMC
Dear Neighbour,
Although Mother Nature has taken her time bringing spring, the forecast indicates that warm weather is right around the corner.
These have been very unsettling times, but please recognize that what our health officials have been asking us to do is helping to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Officials are also reminding us that COVID-19 has not yet peaked in our British Columbia or Canada. However if we stay the course, keep our distance, and stay close to home, there is hope that we will flatten the curve sooner rather than later. PHYSICAL DISTANCING is incredibly important; we need to be vigilant about our personal safety (and that of others) and do our part to slow down the spread of this virus.
Predator Ridge has made the cart paths available for getting some fresh air, as long as we follow the guidelines from health officials (e.g., staying home for 14 days after out-of-country travel, maintaining 6 feet of physical distance and not gathering in groups). We also note that guidelines continue to evolve, so it’s important for us to pay attention to those changes, such as recent health recommendations for increased use of masks.
For those who are in quarantine, we understand how difficult this time is, especially with the warm weather coming. If you need help, please reach out to your friends and neighbours. For those of you who have completed your quarantine, we thank you for your vigilance.
Our Mental Wellbeing
These times are difficult for everyone and some of us will struggle more than others with the uncertainty and isolation. The anxiety over stress, mental distress and depression, have no borders, and can hit any one. Predator Ridge has taken amazing measures to help support this by offering free access for 90 days to Akira By TELUS Health. Akira has many benefits including unlimited, unrestricted 24/7 mental health support. Tomorrow (April 8th) is the last day to register for this 90-day free service so register right away if this is of interest to you.
PredatorRidge.com/Community-Resources/Virtual-HealthCare
MentalHealthCommission.ca/English/covid19
Vernon Connect
Earlier this year, the City of Vernon launched an app to allow residents to stay connected with the City of Vernon’s Emergency Alerts and Messaging. The “VernonConnect” app allows you to select important messaging from the City of Vernon direct to your phone. You can download this app for free via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Vernon.ca/homes-building/fire-safety/emergency-management/vernonconnect-app
Trails & Cart (Walking) Paths
Due to snow and muddy conditions, Predator Ridge has closed the dirt trails until further notice. This is to prevent ruts on the trails, so residents are asked to stick to the paved cart paths. Please respect and follow all signage that is and will be placed at trailheads.
Golf Course
We understand that we all want to get out on the golf course and we are all eagerly awaiting a message from Predator Ridge that will give us an opening date. Unfortunately an exact date is not possible at this time, but what we can assure you Predator Ridge is as anxious as you are to open, but will not do so until it is SAFE to do so.
FireSmart Your Yards
While we are all self-distancing it may be a good time to get outside and look around your home to see what you can do now to FireSmart your own property. Click on the below link for FireSmart spring clean up 2020 tips and how to contact the FireSmart committee with any questions. The committee is here to help and is always happy to answer any questions you may have.
PRCEMC.ca/2020/04/06/fire-smart-spring-clean-up-2020/
Support for Predator Ridge Staff
Predator Ridge has 98 of its staff still employed, with many of these employees taking on alternate jobs from what they normally do (e.g. cleaning streets, golf course and landscaping maintenance, etc.). Also included in those numbers are the staff working at Commonage Market and Pallino’s and they need our help! Numbers at Pallino’s and Commonage Market have dropped off in the past weeks, making it difficult to justify opening. If everyone one of us here in the community ate one meal a week from Pallino’s or the Market it will definitely help keep the doors open and the staff employed.
Music On Our Patios
Some fun stats regarding last Saturday’s inaugural Music on Your Patio event:
• The event registered 3,200 views
• 366 people engaged in the content (this includes likes, shares, & comments),
• 32 people shared it including the BC Country Music Association!
The next Music on Your Patio event will be happening this Saturday at 7:30pm with Gorden James. Full details at: PredatorRidge.com/Community-Resources/Music
Looking Ahead
We all look forward to when we can gather with our neighbours again, get out on the golf course, and participate in all of the other great in-person classes and events we have in our community. Remember, we’re all in this together, and until that day arrives, we will continue to follow health guidelines, participate and support each other virtually or at a distance.
Keep The Faith • Be Strong • Physically Distance • Keep Us All Safe
Sincerely,
Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC)
Jim Popowich; Colleen Scott; Kathy Pedersen; Gord Wilson;
Luiz Araujo; Jane Toppozini
Community Safety at Predator Ridge