TNRD bringing attention to emergency preparedness week ahead of summer wildfires and floods

KAMLOOPS — May 1 to 7 is Emergency Preparedness Week. With the B.C. wildfire season just beginning and spring freshet approaching, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is hoping for the best, but looking to make sure everybody is prepared for the worst.

When devastating wildfires hit the region last summer, and then landslides and floods destroyed communities in the fall, the TNRD saw a massive increase of users for its Voyent Alert app with almost 15,000 people now subscribed. The phone or web based service provides real time updates to residents in case of evacuation alerts or orders.

“We are strongly encouraging residents who aren’t on that system to register,” said Colton Davies, TNRD Communications Director. “People can do so on their mobile device or the TNRD website. It’s a simple process, it’s free, it’s anonymous. It’s very useful in helping residents be prepared in the case of flood or fire.”