The Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) is launching a public awareness and engagement campaign as the freshet and wildfire seasons approach.

Staff told the RDCO Board at its April 11 meeting that the initiative aims to assess and enhance residents91裸聊视频� preparedness for emergencies.

91裸聊视频淭he overarching goal is to encourage communities to take steps to be better prepared,91裸聊视频� said Kari O91裸聊视频橰ourke, communications officer.

Campaign goals include ensuring residents know where to get emergency information, how to put together a 72-hour emergency kit, and how to support neighbours.

Referencing the McDougall Creek wildfire, West Kelowna May Gord Milsom said he would like evacuation, alert and emergency services registration information put out quickly during an emergency.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 know when we91裸聊视频檙e going to be faced with another wildfire, but it91裸聊视频檚 on the minds of our residents, particularly after last year,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淲e want to make sure they know what to do if they91裸聊视频檙e called upon to leave their homes again.91裸聊视频�

The NDP government was criticized for a backlog of evacuees waiting for support and accommodation during the McDougall Creek fire.

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Milsom91裸聊视频檚 neighbour to the south, Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel pointed out that while communication is key, getting the public91裸聊视频檚 attention is equally important.

He used the low turnout for his community91裸聊视频檚 FireSmart Open House on April 6 as an example.

91裸聊视频淎 hundred of my residents, it91裸聊视频檚 not even one per cent of the total population,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭he way that we found is best to communicate with them, is having a newsletter direct in their mailbox.91裸聊视频�

Van Minsel added the board could also lobby senior government for additional funding for wildfire mitigation work.

A grant for residents to FireSmart their properties was recently increased to $1,000 from $500. Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland felt that amount is still not enough.

91裸聊视频淢any of these private properties are like guns pointed at our communities and their neighbours,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not incentivizing those people enough.91裸聊视频�

The Community Readiness Public Engagement runs from April 15 to May 12 and will include open houses, and media campaigns.

Additional resources are available on the and websites.

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