Register for Emergency Alerts in your community
This week’s Tsunami warning in BC was not only a great reminder for the need to be prepared for a disaster but also a great example of the importance of an emergency notification system. It was only last week that Hawaii mistakenly sent out a text alert warning of a ballistic missile threat. Unlike the messaging system in Hawaii, which sends out an emergency notification to anyone connected to a local cellphone tower, in BC residents must register for emergency alerts with their community. Even then many communities don’t yet have this option available to residents. Although it’s not a perfect system in BC, it is better than nothing.
We strongly encourage you to visit the link for your community below and register to receive emergency alerts. In the event of an evacuation or emergency, the quicker the news spreads the better!
- Cowichan Valley – https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/FormCenter/Public-Safety-18/Emergency-Alert-System-Registration-Form-86
- Comox Valley – http://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/EN/main/departments/emergency-services/get-notified-emergency-notification-system.html
- Victoria – https://vic-alert.connectrocket.com/
- Sidney – http://www.sidney.ca/Town_Hall/Departments/Fire_Department/Emergency_Response_Messaging_System.htm
- Ucluelet – http://ucluelet.ca/community/emergency-management-ucluelet-bc/emergency-notification
- Southern Gulf Islands – https://www.ermsadvantage.com/register/crd/sgi
- Juan de Fuca – https://www.ermsadvantage.com/register/crd/jdf
- Salt Spring Island – https://www.ermsadvantage.com/register/crd/ssi
- Piers Island – https://www.ermsadvantage.com/register/crd/Piers
- Cariboo Regional District – https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/signup
- Richmond – https://www.richmond.ca/safety/prepare/notify-me.htm
- Maple Ridge – https://www.mapleridge.ca/1272/Alerts
- Squamish Lillooet Regional District – https://www.slrd.bc.ca/services/emergency-management/slrd-alert-sign
- Metro Vancouver (Not located in an incorporated municipality) – http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/Pages/default.aspx
Other options:
- Canadian Red Cross – App available for download. Give instant access to information on emergency situations
- Follow Emergency Info BC on Twitter – https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC