SIVFD NEWS - savary island committee
SIVFD NEWS - savary island committee
SIVFD NEWS - savary island committee
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>SIVFD</strong> <strong>NEWS</strong><br />
2009 SUMMER EDITION<br />
ISSUE 2 PAGE 4 SUMMER 2009<br />
Emergency Response<br />
Evacuation plans and fire suppression.<br />
Awareness.<br />
We are all here to enjoy this unique <strong>island</strong> paradise, and<br />
consider it to be our escape from the pressures of the city<br />
and its daily grind. Nobody wants to imagine the possibility<br />
of a major disaster on Savary. But in the case of a major<br />
emergency there are two simple points to remember:<br />
1. Communication.<br />
One of the difficulties during a major emergency is knowing<br />
how to effectively inform the public, be it evacuation<br />
notices, road closures, health or safety concerns, etc. In<br />
large-scale incidents it is often not practical for response<br />
crews to give door-to-door emergency info. One way in<br />
which the Regional District Emergency Program is planning<br />
to meet this communications challenge is through<br />
coordination with radio stations throughout our region<br />
for the broadcast of pertinent emergency info.<br />
Should the Emergency Program have important information<br />
for the public during a major emergency (e.g.<br />
earthquake, large fire), it will be broadcast on one of the<br />
following FM stations:<br />
95.7 FM – broadcast from Powell River<br />
98.9 FM – broadcast from Courtenay<br />
99.7 FM – broadcast from Campbell River<br />
If there’s time to tune in to one of these stations then at<br />
least you’ll know what’s happening on Savary and whether<br />
there’s a need to evacuate.<br />
2. Evacuation.<br />
If you need to escape a major wildfire on Savary, you<br />
should head to the beach. You and your family will be<br />
found easier by emergency crews. Memorize at least two<br />
evacuation points near your cabin, and head for the one<br />
that’s not in the path of the smoke and fire. As per the<br />
CWPP recommendations, the PRRD and the <strong>SIVFD</strong> will be<br />
developing signage for marshalling points for boat and<br />
air evacuation. The map below shows some of the main<br />
points identified by the <strong>SIVFD</strong>.<br />
If you do not need to travel on Savary’s roads then<br />
you should not, because the roads are not designed for a<br />
An example of a narrow, steep, unmaintained road on Savary.<br />
sudden increase of panicked drivers. You could end up<br />
blocking the emergency crews who are trying to get to<br />
you and your neighbours. Walk along the shore to your<br />
nearest evacuation point. Remember that the government<br />
dock will be one of many points of egress for the<br />
<strong>island</strong>, so don’t think it’s your only exit.<br />
Improving our roads.<br />
A major part of the CWPP is about our roads. They are<br />
narrow, overgrown with poor sight lines, have too many<br />
dead ends, are not well maintained, and do not allow for<br />
SAVARY ISLAND<br />
CWPP<br />
“Narrow<br />
road ways<br />
may complicate<br />
access and<br />
evacuation<br />
during wildfire<br />
events.”<br />
emergency vehicle access for a<br />
significant portion of the <strong>island</strong>.<br />
The <strong>SIVFD</strong> is not a proponent of<br />
making this <strong>island</strong> into a paved<br />
city. We have already shown our<br />
ability to adapt by purchasing 4x4<br />
emergency vehicles. But we would<br />
prefer that the roads be maintained<br />
to at least a minimum level<br />
where we can safely get to you and your family in the<br />
case of an emergency.<br />
The CWPP report gives far more detail than this short<br />
newsletter contains, and the <strong>SIVFD</strong> encourages all<br />
Savaryites to get hold of a copy. ■<br />
Download the Savary CWPP Report from:<br />
www.powellriverrd.bc.ca (6.8MB)<br />
Sign out a printed copy (80 pages), on-<strong>island</strong>:<br />
Call Doug Smith 604-414-0770 or<br />
Phil Zweep 604-414-0498