Event: Information Meeting Feb 24 6:30

Hello everyone,

We hope this finds everyone with power and heat. The WLRA Emergency Preparedness Committee would like to welcome Jayson Tracy in joining Krystal Gibbons in initiating White Lake to the Neighbourhood Emergency Program Area C operating network. They will facilitate with the CSRD in setting up and maintaining the program for us here in White Lake along with other resources that will be required to make this program effective. The goal is to have measures in place prior to the forest fire season this year.

The two items on the agenda should take about 45-60 minutes each and are previewed below.

We will have our membership table at the hall before the meeting 600-630pm or after the meeting, for any members that prefer to renew their 2020 WLRA membership by check or cash. $20/person/year. We are looking at an auto renewal option at wlra.ca if you prefer, so we can streamline this annual renewal process. Maybe offer a reduced rate with a 3 year payment?

Hope to see everyone at the WL Hall for these two very important initiatives.

Thank you from the WLRA directors.

Agenda Item 1 ......Area C Housing Study

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) has retained Urbanics Consultants to perform a housing needs report for Electoral Areas C and E. These Electoral Areas are each experiencing different population trends that will impact how they approach housing policy. While Electoral Area C’s population has grown, Electoral Area E has undergone a population decline. With this, a number of housing issues have become relevant to the communities. Urbanics is reaching out to communities within the study areas to understand their housing needs so they may address them in the report for the CSRD. Urbanics will present their draft findings and encourages input from White Lake residents.

Agenda Item 2 .......... Neighbourhood Emergency Program

The purpose of the Neighbourhood Emergency Program (NEP) is to ensure that Emergency Preparedness is well practiced in the area where it will be most effective – our communities, neighbourhoods and homes. This is accomplished by providing information which can assist neighbourhoods identify their local skills and resources to ensure they are more organized to effectively deal with a disaster. After disasters or during other major emergencies, previous experiences have revealed that emergency services response can be delayed for over 72 hours.

Demands on these services have been proven so great that many requests for help cannot be handled immediately. Access to phones, gas, water and electrical services can be cut off.

During disaster situations, experience has also shown that neighbours naturally come together to help one another. Learning how to be prepared can be crucial.

What are the Benefits of NEP?

NEP can assist you and your neighbours plan to become more resilient to disasters by:

Identifying potential hazards and their impactThe preparation of a neighbourhood response planLearning what are your existing localized resources you can work withPromoting training in personal preparedness (e.g., first aid, fire suppression…)Learning how to report neighbourhood status to the Emergency Operations Centre.

Although many natural disasters cannot be prevented, we can mitigate their effects through preparation and neighbourhoods who are prepared are more likely to:

Cope effectively during the eventRecover more quickly after the event.