By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
A $160,000 grant for emergency public notification and evacuation planning has been jointly awarded to Osoyoos, Keremeos, Summerland, and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS).
The 2025 Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning program, is funded by the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
The collaborative initiative aims to strengthen regional evacuation planning and emergency preparedness across the participating jurisdictions.
Mark Pendergraft, RDOS chair expressed his pleasure at being awarded this partnership grant adding, “This funding will support the RDOS in enhancing emergency preparedness, notification systems, and evacuation planning to better protect communities in the region.”
The Town said the funding will be used to update existing evacuation plans by enhancing the accuracy of GIS and spatial data, refining evacuation zones and routes, improving the integration and coordination of public notification platforms, and developing public education materials and communication tools.
“On completion, Osoyoos will have an updated evacuation route plan that reflects our unique geography, risks, and infrastructure, as part of a coordinated region-wide evacuation plan,” it said in a statement.
“This work supports the ongoing commitment of local governments to improve public safety and ensure residents and visitors are better informed and prepared in the event of an emergency,” the RDOS said.
In addition to the plans tailored to each community, the RDOS said it will develop a “comprehensive, region-wide evacuation plan to ensure coordination and consistency across jurisdictions during emergency events.”
