The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is launching a new project aimed at improving flood and wildfire risk awareness and promoting mitigation principles to residents across all 12 electoral areas.
The Pathways to Preparedness project, supported by the Canadian Red Cross, will run from May to November 2023.
“It is important for everyone to be prepared for wildfires and floods, to know what gaps they have and to be taking action to be ready,” says Stephanie Masun, manager of Emergency Program Services with the CRD, “Our goal with Pathways to Preparedness is to improve overall readiness and awareness among residents of risks they may face in an emergency.”
Pathways to Preparedness personnel will be in attendance at dozens of events across the Cariboo, and roll out a public awareness campaign between April and December.
The goals are to understand and increase risk awareness, and improve preparedness among residents. The project involves completing an environmental scan, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups while developing materials and a plan to support program implementation and evaluation.
“We all have a responsibility to know what risks we have and how we can prepare our homes and property ahead of emergencies,” said Tim Conrad of Butterfly Effect Communications, the project’s lead agency. “Wherever you are on the pathway to preparedness, we want to help you go further, so you are ready for floods and wildfires.”
The Cariboo Regional District has experienced record wildfires from 2017-18 and record flooding in 2018, among other concerning events. The impact on residents, organizations, and businesses has been felt in all areas of the CRD, with some experiencing multiple direct impacts and others indirectly.
Current CRD emergency and regular channels on social media will be used to spread awareness about the project. Learn more and take the surveys starting in mid-May on the program’s website where you can also get information to help you get more prepared.
New information will be added to the webpage throughout the year.
For more information on the Pathways to Preparedness project, please visit the Cariboo Regional District website at www.cariboord.ca/pathways.
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