Residents and Visitors encouraged to register for Emergency Alert Notification System

Pemberton, BC – The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) marks Emergency Preparedness Week by reminding residents of the steps they can take to ready themselves for emergencies, starting with registering for the SLRD’s emergency alert notification system.

Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative that takes place annually from May 7-13. It is a collaborative event, organized and coordinated by provincial, territorial and local emergency management organizations. The SLRD supports Emergency Preparedness Week by sharing information with its residents, starting with a reminder to register with the SLRD Alert emergency notification system. In support of Emergency Preparedness Week, the SLRD will share informative preparedness-themed messages daily, through its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“Disaster can strike at any time, and while we might not be able to prevent these emergencies from unfolding, being prepared in advance can make a difference in the moment when it happens,” said Jen Ford, SLRD Board Chair. “In the SLRD we’ve seen first-hand the impacts of wildfire, flooding and landslides. Doing the work in advance, to be prepared for an emergency, can help mitigate those implications.”

The SLRD launched the SLRD Alert, powered by Voyent Alert! notification system in July, 2022. The program allows subscribers to receive emergency notificaitons by app, telephone, text (SMS) or email. This system is used extensively by local governments throughout the province; in the SLRD, the system is used by the District of Lillooet, the Village of Pemberton and the District of Squamish. The Squamish Nation and Lillooet Tribal Council also utilize this emergency alert notification system.

The SLRD utilizes the notification system to issue evacuation alerts and orders, as well as other emergency-related communications. In the event of an emergency, telephone, text, email or mobile app message will be sent to all registered contacts in the affected area. The system enables the SLRD to provide people with critical information in a variety of emergency situations, such as severe weather events, wildfires, floods, landslides and any other emergency events that could have an impact on people in the area.

“When it comes to emergency preparedness, there are several things we can all do to prepare, including having an emergency plan in place for our families and having grab and go bags and emergency kits in our homes and vehicles,” said Mark Phillips, the SLRD’s Director of Protective Services. “We also encourage all residents to sign up for the SLRD Alert. It’s the easiest way to receive timely emergency notifications directly from the SLRD.

On May 8, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the SLRD will send a message to all of its current SLRD Alert subscribers, asking to confirm location and contact information.

In the event of an emergency, the SLRD also utilizes its website and social media to share updates. Residents are reminded to follow the SLRD on Facebook and Twitter and monitor the SLRD website for news and emergency updates.

SLRD Alert provides emergency notifications for SLRD Electoral Areas. For emergency notifications in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Lillooet, registration for those systems is required.

Emergency Preparedness Week takes place from May 7-13; follow the SLRD on Facebook and Twitter for information on everything from preparing emergency plans, kits and grab-and-go bags, to understanding the hazards in the SLRD, and the difference between the various types of emergency notifications. The SLRD also hosts extensive information on its website, in regard to SLRD-specific hazards and risks, preparedness information and links to resources and tools: www.slrd.bc.ca/preparedness

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About the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (the District of Lillooet, the District of Squamish, the Village of Pemberton and the Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 50,496 residents (2021 Census as certified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs).

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is found within the traditional territories of several First Nations, including the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Lil'wat. Small parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tsilhqot'in, and Secwepemc Nations. While the SLRD does not provide direct services to the residents of the First Nations communities located within the region, the organization is committed to enhancing relations with the Indigenous communities and First Nations within whose territories the SLRD operates.