With wildfire season around the corner, emergency notification systems are being tested throughout the region later this month.
“The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is reminding everyone to make sure you and your loved ones are as safe as possible in an emergency. By signing up to receive notifications, this will help you know what to do and where to go in the event of a disaster,” SRD board Chair Michele Babchuk said.
“The best thing people can do to prepare for wildfire season is to review the FireSmart Homeowner’s Guide, have their evacuation kit ready and ensure they are signed up to receive local emergency notifications with the Connect Rocket system.”
Connect Rocket is the emergency mass notification system used by the SRD.
Voice and text messages are sent to mobile devices within a cell coverage area and voice messages are sent to landlines.
| Community List | Test Date/Time | Time |
| Cortes Island | Monday June 15th |
1:30 pm
|
| Quadra Island | Wednesday June 17th | |
| Zeballos | Friday June 19th | |
| Tahsis | Monday June 22nd | |
| Campbell River | Wednesday June 24th | |
| Gold River | Friday June 26th |
- If you have signed up to receive notifications for only one area, you will receive only one message. If you have signed up for multiple lists, then you will receive multiple notifications throughout the testing period.
- There are a total of 17 community notification lists. To not inconvenience people who have signed up for multiple lists, not all lists will be tested during this schedule. The remaining lists will be tested in October in preparation for the winter storm season.
“Provided that there is access to the Internet, we would use this service to notify residents within the different communities of the Region,” said SRD protective services coordinator, Shaun Koopman.
“When we test the system or use it in the event of a real emergency, residents will receive a text message, landline voice message, and cell phone voice message for notifications.”
Residents and visitors can sign up and manage their contact details online here or if you do not have access to the internet, call 250-830-6702.
For more information on how to better prepare yourself in an emergency and to view the FireSmart Homeowner’s guide, click here.
