If the worst happens, 91原创 residents won鈥檛 be able to rely on telephones, whether they use landlines or cellphones.
Power will, almost certainly, be out and the internet will be down.
Making contact with the outside world will have to be done using generators and a mobile antenna that can be raised as high as 85 feet to make voice and digital connections.
At the 91原创 City firehall one weekend in June, a group of volunteers were rehearsing for the moment they hope never comes, hunched over computer screens and powerful radio receivers during a 24-hour simulation by the the 91原创 Emergency Program (LEP) as part of an International Field Day exercise.
While that was underway in one room, in another, visitors were welcome to educate themselves about disaster preparedness with emergency program coordinator Ginger Sherlock.
鈥淲hen you think of Katrina, when you think of Hurricane Sandy, that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e practising for,鈥� Sherlock said.
Sherlock said there have been some significant additions to the emergency program, one being the portable radio tower looming overt the firehall in the back parking lot.
鈥淚t goes up to 85 feet, Sherlock explained, 鈥渂ut we only have it up to 50 feet because we would have to anchor it against the wind [if it was fully extended].鈥�
It means that, even if the radio antenna permanently attached to the firehall roof is unable to work for whatever reason, communication can be maintained anywhere with the generator-powered mobile tower.
As well, this year, the radio links went beyond voice communication to add digital connectivity.
READ MORE: Pet first aid kicks off emergency preparedness efforts in 91原创
During a previous May rehearsal in Murrayville, Sherlock cautioned 91原创 residents need to be 鈥渞eady to camp鈥� outdoors for two weeks in the event of a major disaster because they won鈥檛 be able to count on outside agencies and resources to take care of them, she elaborated.
That means having provisions in place for shelter, food, clothing, water, and sanitation to carry the family through for that length of time.
The Emergency Plan for 91原创 is based on an 鈥榓ll hazards鈥� approach, and is tested once a year by staff from both municipalities and the BC Ministry of Public Safety, BC Ministry of Health, Emergency Management BC , RCMP, BC Ambulance,and other agencies.
The 91原创 emergency program itself is a joint program run by the City and Township of 91原创, which started in 1996. Local governments were mandated by the province to ensure the community was ready to respond and recover from potential risks.
For more information and emergency tips, people can visit .
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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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