Kelowna Fire Department drill provides first-hand opportunity for community evacuation response
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Kelowna Fire Department (KFD) and regional emergency agency partners celebrated the completion of a live wildfire evacuation drill held in the neighbourhoods of Wilden and Magic Estates this past Saturday. As two of the five neighbourhoods most immediately impacted by the 2023 Knox Mountain Fire, this exercise further underscored the importance of community-wide emergency preparedness.
Kelowna Fire Chief Dwight Seymour, champion for this emergency preparedness initiative, noted the importance of collaboration on a community wide scale during wildfires and other emergencies. “This event highlighted the willingness of our residents, volunteers, and partner agencies to work together toward public safety. It’s encouraging to see the community take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies, and today’s drill reinforces our ongoing commitment to readiness.”
The drill began with a simulated CORD Emergency evacuation order notification, sent to participants just after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25. Approximately 75 neighbourhood households participated, gaining the valuable experience of responding within a moment’s notice to emergency operation instructions on neighbourhood-specific routes to reach the final assembly location at Prospera Place.
Brittany Seibert, Regional Emergency Program Manager, noted that, in addition to responding efficiently as a community, it is also important for individuals and families to ensure that their personal plans are in place for emergencies. “Having a family emergency plan and “go bags” with essential emergency items at the ready is essential. In an emergency, being able to leave as quickly as possible along identified routes can make a significant difference for your safety. Preparation isn’t just about peace of mind—it’s about being able to respond when every second counts.”
In partnership with the National Research Council of Canada, this evacuation drill will also contribute data to a study on community responsiveness during wildfire evacuation and help improve future evacuation plans across Kelowna and potentially across the Central Okanagan. The KFD encourages families and neighbourhoods to continue developing emergency readiness with FireSmart resources and updates from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations. Kelowna’s collaborative efforts remain essential in building resilience against wildfires. For more information on emergency preparedness and what you can do to help prepare for wildfires and other emergencies, visit: kelowna.ca/fire
To subscribe for regular CORD Emergency SMS updates, visit: cordemergency.ca
