City of Kamloops solicits volunteers to help run cooling centres, should the need arise

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is putting out the call for volunteers in preparation for abnormally hot weather, should it hit the B.C. Interior this summer.

If the temperatures result in the province triggering a Heat Warning or Extreme Heat Emergency for Kamloops, the City will set up three cooling centres — a primary location at Sandman Centre and smaller locations at Parkview Activity Centre and Valleyview Community Hall.

Volunteers will be required to help operate the centres from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. on days they are active.

“Volunteers are an extremely important component of our heat response plan, and we’re asking residents to consider volunteering their time during a heat warning. When a cooling centre is activated, it is initially staffed by City employees; however, in the event of an extended heat event or a concurrent emergency, volunteers would be required to keep cooling centres open,” said City of Kamloops Recreation, Health and Wellness Supervisor Linda Stride.