Comox Valley Emergency Management and the Comox Valley Regional FireSmart Resilience committee will kick off Emergency Preparedness Week (May 5-11) with a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 4.
“Emergency Preparedness Week is a great reminder to all residents and businesses in the Comox Valley to review their emergency plan and ensure they are prepared,” saidCari McIntyre, emergency planning co-ordinator at Comox Valley Emergency Management.
The Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market (4839 Headquarters Road, Courtenay.
Fire and emergency services personnel will be onsite with emergency equipment and response vehicles to teach residents more about how to get prepared. A FireSmart landscape and plant specialist will also be onsite to promote best practices for creating fire and drought resistant backyard environments.
“FireSmart practices have proven they save lives and property,” said Lt. Ian Robertson, chair of the Comox Valley Regional FireSmart Resilience committee.
“Representatives from local fire and emergency services, BC Wildfire Service, CFB Comox Fire and more are all grateful to be coming back to Comox Valley Farmers’ Market on May 4 to showcase equipment and talk wildfire preparedness with community members.”
For more information on Emergency Preparedness Week (May 5-11, 2024) and how your community can get involved, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/firesmart.
Helpful steps
• Go to www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/getnotified to sign up for local emergency notifications delivered to your landline or mobile phone. Need help registering? Come register in person on May 4 with the assistance of emergency program volunteers or call 250-334-6000.
• Invite a local FireSmart representative to walk you through a FireSmart™ neighbourhood or home ignition zone assessment. Visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/firesmart to learn more.
• Consider leading a Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) team to help your neighbours get ready for prolonged power disruptions, extreme weather conditions, and natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, and wildfire.
Find more information at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/NEPP.