The importance of emergency preparedness is increasing every year. The fires in recent years in Lytton, Kelowna, and in our own backyard at Gunn Lake, have shown us first-hand the devastating power of wildfires, and their increasing frequency in B.C.  

At the RMOW, and with our partners in the community and across the province, we are adapting to climate change by increasing our emergency preparedness. In case you missed it, we had the opportunity to share some of the groundbreaking work that’s being done in the community with Global News last week. 

As you may have heard in the above story, on our channels or in the Pique, we will be running an Emergency Wildfire Evacuation Exercise on Thursday, April 18 to give our municipal team, along with Whistler Fire Rescue Services (WFRS) and RCMP a chance to practice, and determine gaps that may need to be filled, outside of a real emergency scenario. 

Being proactive can save homes and lives. We hope this work inspires everyone in the community to look at ways they can prepare themselves ahead of wildfire season.  

Here are some ways you can prepare yourself and your property. 

Sign Up: Whistler Alert  

Whistler Alert is our official emergency notification system used to communicate with residents and visitors during emergencies. Signing up means you’ll receive critical information via text, phone, and email in a variety of situations that may pose a risk to your health, safety or property.   

Whistler Alert is available to both residents and visitors.   

• Residents will be asked to provide their contact information and to select the Whistler neighbourhoods they wish to receive alerts for.    
• Visitors will be asked for their contact number and to input the date they plan to leave Whistler. Visitors will no longer receive alerts after their intended departure date.   

FireSmart: Assess your property 

FireSmart is a program available in Whistler to help home and property owners understand wildfire exposure, while empowering them to reduce it. FireSmart work helps reduce the spread of wildfire and makes properties more defendable. If you need more convincing, read this personal account from the Gunn Lake fire last summer. 

Whistler’s FireSmart teams have begun their work for the season. Go to whistler.ca to sign up for a free Fire Smart assessment with a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist and learn how to organize your neighbourhood to FireSmart their homes.

Be Ready: Gas + Grab-and-go  

When an emergency hits, there won’t be time to stop for gas or emergency supplies. It’s important to be ready with enough gas in your tank (keep it at minimum half full at all times), and a grab-and-go emergency kit that’s easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. It’s a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace and vehicle.  

Make: Emergency Plan  

A good emergency plan will include things like an emergency phone list with at least two out-of-area contacts, a designated meeting spot, an evacuation plan (if you don’t have a car, who will you carpool with?), etc.  

To sign up for Whistler Alert, and get additional information on personal preparedness, please check out whistler.ca/prepared.