Your EMO eNews

July 5, 2023

PARKSVILLE - QUALICUM BEACH

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Home Emergency Kits

This month’s addition to our home emergency kits is a first aid kit. Gather some simple supplies to cover basic emergency medical needs. Items that might be useful include supplies like band-aids, medical gloves, hand sanitizer, sterile gauze, tweezers and scissors. It is important to pack items which meet your level of first aid training and experience. If you’re feeling really keen, this month is a good time to book a first aid course!

Now is also a good time to pack a small supply of your over-the-counter medications and include details of any prescription medications needed in your household. It is often not possible to pack a supply of prescription medication but having a list of your medication details may make it easier to fill prescriptions if there is a prolonged power or internet outage.

It is wise for those with complex medical needs to consider a discussion with their health care team about how to best prepare for an emergency or disaster. Those with medical equipment requiring power must consider how to provide a power supply for an extended period in the event of a prolonged power outage.

Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire season is here. Already this year we have experienced the reality of wildfire coming close to our communities and had a glimpse of how wildfire can interrupt daily life. The Cameron Bluff wildfire is now, thankfully, under control.

Wildfire is part of summer in BC. Wildfires are beneficial to the landscapes and encourage the healthy rebirth of forests and a strong ecosystem. Some wildfires burn far away from communities and homes, while other wildfires occur in the Wildland Urban Interface, the area where forests meet communities. When wildfires, whether natural or human-caused, burn at the intersection of forest and communities, critical infrastructure and even lives can be threatened.

Cameron Bluffs Fire and Phased Reopening of Hwy 4

After more than two weeks of closure, Highway 4 reopened June 23. The highway will operate with single-lane-alternating traffic at Cameron Lake Bluffs to keep travellers safe and accommodate safety measures to minimize the hazard of falling debris as the slope continues to recover from the effects of wildfire. The detour will remain available until Highway 4 fully reopens. BC Parks has closed Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Provincial Park and the Beaufort and Cameron Lake day use areas in Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park until Highway 4 is fully reopened to allow for sustainable traffic management. Arrowsmith CPR Regional Trail also remains closed. Although Highway 4 through Cameron Lake is re-opening to single lane alternating traffic, the trail remains closed to reduce traffic congestion in the area, helping to keep the critical travel corridor open and flowing. Check DriveBC for updates.

Being FireSmart

There are steps we can all take to reduce the risk of wildfire in our communities. Taking simple FireSmart measures around our homes and neighbourhoods can increase the resilience of structures to wildfire and help slow the spread of fire. We encourage you to learn more about how you can begin to FireSmart your home and your neighbourhood. There’s a great resource at this link FireSmart Begins at Home Guide.

As with other emergencies, personal preparedness is crucial to your safety in wildfire season. Having a household emergency plan and a grab and go bag provides flexibility and speed to your ability to evacuate your home at short notice.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Interested in joining our dedicated Oceanside Emergency Support Services or Oceanside Emergency Communications Team or are you looking for more info, what’s involved in volunteering? Contact Chris James, volunteer coordinator, at [email protected] or

250 937-0448. We rely on community volunteers to provide a valued service to the community when it is needed most.

Previous emergency support services or emergency communications experience isn’t necessary as we will provide you with the training you’ll need. Check out our volunteer info on EMO website. We can’t do it alone!

GET NOTIFIED DURING A LOCAL EMERGENCY

Emergency Notifications

We’re pleased to see many more people have signed up for Voyent Alert! in the last month. Our thanks to you! And don’t forget you can sign up for notification from more than one community. If, for example, you work in a community other than the one in which you live, it is wise to sign up for notifications in both locations.

In the event of an emergency, one of the ways Emergency Management Oceanside may notify you is by using alerts sent through Voyent Alert! notification system. This system allows community members to register online to receive messages relevant to their community through email, app, text message, or voice call. Registration for Voyent Alert! is free. Go to register.voyent-alert.com to sign up today.

Contact Kate at [email protected] or 250 954-4672 if you have any questions about the system or registration process.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Town of Qualicum Beach

Town Hall is open to the public with full services. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm (except statutory holidays). Although the office is open, residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the other payment options including payment through your financial institution; mail a cheque; or drop off a cheque at Town Hall drop box (location below). If you do wish to visit Town Hall to conduct business, masks are recommended while in the building.

Email
Phone
Post
Mail Slot
Websites

[email protected]

250 752-6921

PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach V9K 1S7

Out front of Town Hall, near the fountain

qualicumbeach.com

qbfirerescue.com

In accordance with public health orders from the Province of BC, the public is welcome to attend to in-person Council meetings. Council and select staff will attend in person, capacity limits will be monitored, and if required, alternative viewing location(s) will be provided.