City of Revelstoke breaks down current emergency alert systems on the cusp of wildfire season

City of Revelstoke emergency communications doesn’t just rely on the Alertable app. Instead, the app, in a contract with the entire Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), is part of a phone, email, social media and in-person alert plan.

“Revelstoke has an Emergency Management Program that works with the province and external agencies to monitor and assess hazards that could affect our community,” David Mohn, Revelstoke’s training officer and emergency program coordinator said. “If a disaster occurs, or is imminent, the city will activate an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) which will coordinate the needs of the community.”

The EOC makes the call if evacuation is needed, and coordinates with all communication channels to get word out. 

In addition to Alertable, Mohn said officials would go door-to-door in the case of an evacuation order The city also uses the Alert Ready system, which pushes alerts out to TVs, radios and cell phones in the region, interrupting current broadcasts.

Revelstoke emergency alerts are shared on the city’s website, social media channels, the City Views newsletter, larger businesses in town and  local news organizations, Francesca Williams, Revelstoke’s communications coordinator said. 

While the Alertable app does require users to sign up for alerts and notifications, Williams clarified that users can opt in to receive alerts via phone calls or emails as well. As of June 2024, over 2,400 Revelstoke residents and 1,290 people in the CSRD Area B have signed up for Alertable.

Revelstoke emergency communications need to go hand-in-hand with personal emergency preparations, Mohn stressed, urging residents to develop their own home emergency plan, prepare an emergency kit and pack a grab-and-go bag.

“This will ensure that you are ready for any situation, whether it is being self-sufficient at home for a couple days or leaving immediately,” he said.
Resources to create a home emergency plan and what to pack in a grab-and-go bag can be found at PreparedBC or at the Revelstoke fire station.