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If an emergency or disaster happens are you prepared? The Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) has created the All Hazard Emergency Preparedness Workbook.
The workbook is an excellent tool to help you and your family prepare for any type of emergency or disaster. The workbook includes information about how to prepare a family emergency plan, conduct a home hazard hunt, respond in an emergency evacuation situation and prepare and maintain emergency supply kits.
In the event of an overwhelming emergency residents may be asked to leave the area. Leaving your home is often a very difficult thing to do. In the event of a declared State of Emergency, the Province has given local officials authority to remove residents from imminent harm.
River flooding is a fairly common annual event in many of the heavily populated valley bottoms of British Columbia. In the RDKB nearly every community lies beside the Columbia or Kettle rivers. While the water levels of the Columbia a fairly well controlled, the water levels of the Kettle River are always a concern for residents of the West Boundary.
Lake levels in Christina Lake can engulf low lying foreshore areas when Christina Creek backs up during high water levels in the Kettle.
Smaller creeks throughout the RDKB can also rapidly fluctuate in the event of quick spring melts or heavy rainfalls.
All residents that live near lakes, rivers and streams must be aware of the potential for high water events -- especially in May and June. The RDKB has specific plans to respond to flood events in the Kettle River Valley.
For the most accurate information on flood forecasting, please visit the website of the Provincial Emergency Program.
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- Providing essential services at a reception center during an emergency or disaster
- Provide educational sessions to groups, businesses, schools on emergency preparedness
- Recruit and train more volunteers
- Assist in radio communications
- Provide translation services
- Provide emotional support to people in need following a disaster
- Identify potential food, clothing, lodging and pet care sites
- Participate in meetings, training sessions and exercises
The benefits of volunteering in an emergency situation:
- Learn or develop new skills
- Receive specialized training and education
- Helping your community at a time of need
- Making a difference in someone’s life
- Opportunity to travel to other areas during a disaster
Liability protection is provided to all Volunteers. Registered PEP Volunteers have three levels of liability insurance:
- Exemption from civil liability (unless grossly negligent).
- Provincial liability insurance.
- Good Samaritan Act.
PEP Volunteers are covered under the Worker’s Compensation Act. Volunteers are covered under four categories:
- Operational tasks
- Training tasks
- Demonstrations
- Public education and displays
Please see the PEP website for more information. If you think that you are interested in volunteering to assist in an emergency or disaster please contact:
Dan Derby
Program Coordinator RDKB
Phone: 1.250.364.1737
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