Dear Fellow Area F Resident,
I wanted to give you a quick update as I am taking a holiday this summer with my daughter and will be away for the next month. I will have sporadic access to e-mail and phone messages, so it will be best to contact our office if immediate assistance is required. Alternate Director Jack Darney will be attending the Board meeting in my absence in July.
This spring there have been several small fires in Area F. All of them have been quickly actioned by the Fire Service and/or our fire departments, and are now out. According to the Cariboo Fire Centre, there is one small lightning-caused fire near Big Lake discovered June 26th, which, as of 4pm today, is classified under control. 4 personnel were assigned to mop-up and control.
Over the past several months, the Emergency Preparedness Committee has met many times to review the report from the community consultation, the EOC debriefing report, the Mount Polley report and the Abbott-Chapman report in order to improve our response. As you can appreciate, this has been a huge undertaking, and will result in a new Emergency Management Plan. This will take time, and will not be complete in time for this year’s fire season. However, it is important to note that many actions have already been taken or are in the works, and there will have been many changes implemented already if we declare a state of emergency this summer.
One of the items identified in almost every community meeting last fall was the need for communities to develop plans, and it is one of the recommendations in the reports. Horsefly, Likely, and Big Lake have taken the initiative to develop preparedness plans unique to their communities. I have been working with their committees, and will pick it up when I am back. The Board has approved the purchase and installation of a locking bulletin board for the Horsefly Community Hall to be used for official notices only, and I have initiated a similar request for Likely and Big Lake to be considered at the next Board meeting. Stay tuned for notices in your community newsletters about your community’s plan!
Personal and neighbourhood preparedness are key to a calm and orderly response in the event of an emergency, and will go a long way to ensuring peace of mind as we enter fire season this year. There are links to provincial publications at the end of this update which provide some really good tips. Similarly, FireSmarting your home will go a long way towards ensuring its survival if the fire does come. Pick up a booklet or follow the link at the end of this update for guidance.
If any of you are still struggling financially in the aftermath of the wildfires, please contact the Red Cross. They may be able to help.
Many of us are struggling emotionally as fire season approaches. This is normal, and even to be expected. Please take care of yourselves, and reach out if it becomes difficult. There is a link to the Talk in Tough Times information at the end of this update.
As always, it is my privilege to serve you. I hope you have a safe and fun summer. We all deserve it!
Sincerely,
Joan Sorley
Director, Area F
http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/british-columbia-fires
http://www.firesmartcanada.ca/resources-library/category/manuals
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc_household_preparedness_guide_web_final_2015.pdf
https://cmha.bc.ca/programs-services/talk-in-tough-times/
I wanted to give you a quick update as I am taking a holiday this summer with my daughter and will be away for the next month. I will have sporadic access to e-mail and phone messages, so it will be best to contact our office if immediate assistance is required. Alternate Director Jack Darney will be attending the Board meeting in my absence in July.
This spring there have been several small fires in Area F. All of them have been quickly actioned by the Fire Service and/or our fire departments, and are now out. According to the Cariboo Fire Centre, there is one small lightning-caused fire near Big Lake discovered June 26th, which, as of 4pm today, is classified under control. 4 personnel were assigned to mop-up and control.
Over the past several months, the Emergency Preparedness Committee has met many times to review the report from the community consultation, the EOC debriefing report, the Mount Polley report and the Abbott-Chapman report in order to improve our response. As you can appreciate, this has been a huge undertaking, and will result in a new Emergency Management Plan. This will take time, and will not be complete in time for this year’s fire season. However, it is important to note that many actions have already been taken or are in the works, and there will have been many changes implemented already if we declare a state of emergency this summer.
One of the items identified in almost every community meeting last fall was the need for communities to develop plans, and it is one of the recommendations in the reports. Horsefly, Likely, and Big Lake have taken the initiative to develop preparedness plans unique to their communities. I have been working with their committees, and will pick it up when I am back. The Board has approved the purchase and installation of a locking bulletin board for the Horsefly Community Hall to be used for official notices only, and I have initiated a similar request for Likely and Big Lake to be considered at the next Board meeting. Stay tuned for notices in your community newsletters about your community’s plan!
Personal and neighbourhood preparedness are key to a calm and orderly response in the event of an emergency, and will go a long way to ensuring peace of mind as we enter fire season this year. There are links to provincial publications at the end of this update which provide some really good tips. Similarly, FireSmarting your home will go a long way towards ensuring its survival if the fire does come. Pick up a booklet or follow the link at the end of this update for guidance.
If any of you are still struggling financially in the aftermath of the wildfires, please contact the Red Cross. They may be able to help.
Many of us are struggling emotionally as fire season approaches. This is normal, and even to be expected. Please take care of yourselves, and reach out if it becomes difficult. There is a link to the Talk in Tough Times information at the end of this update.
As always, it is my privilege to serve you. I hope you have a safe and fun summer. We all deserve it!
Sincerely,
Joan Sorley
Director, Area F
http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/british-columbia-fires
http://www.firesmartcanada.ca/resources-library/category/manuals
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc_household_preparedness_guide_web_final_2015.pdf
https://cmha.bc.ca/programs-services/talk-in-tough-times/