With recent record-breaking wildfire seasons, flood risks and climate change, the District of Squamish is encouraging residents to take part in Emergency Preparedness Week.
Running May 5 to 12, the awareness initiative will include a community chipping day on May 5. A schedule of neighbourhoods can also be found at squamish.ca/firesmart.
SquamishAlert will be tested on May 7 at 1 p.m. SquamishAlert is the District's emergency notification system that helps users know how to respond and critical information such as muster points, and what an emergency kit should include.
Subscribers to the free service will receive a notification by phone, email or text. Monday through Friday, residents can get prepared at the Emergency Preparedness Station at Brennan Park Recreation Centre between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Finally, the farmers' market will host a booth on May 11.
"Emergency preparedness is not something we can take lightly because of where we live and because a changing climate may increase the intensity and frequency of flood and wildfire events," Mayor Karen Elliott said in a press release.
"The District continues to focus on emergency preparedness and community resiliency, and we will only be successful with the active participation of our citizens," "Because we live in an area prone to multiple types of hazards, we urge all residents to develop, update and practice their own emergency plan to ensure personal safety in the event an emergency situation."
