Emergency Preparedness

Where Can I Find Emergency Information?

The City of Merritt primarily publishes information about emergency events on the City Notices + Alerts webpage and by using Voyent Alert! mass notification service. Information about specific hazards in Merritt can also be found on the following webpages:

• Air Quality
• Extreme Heat
• River Levels
• Wildfire

We also recommend visiting the following websites in order to get accurate information about ongoing emergency events:

• BC air quality warnings
• BC Hydro power outage list
• BC RCMP news
• BC River Forecast Centre flood warnings and advisories map
• BC River Forecast Centre streamflow condition map
• BC Wildfire Service dashboard
• DriveBC
• EmergencyInfoBC
• EmergencyMapBC
• Merritt forecast
• Thompson-Nicola Regional District Emergency Information

Grab-and-Go Bags and Household Emergency Kits

A grab-and-go bag is intended to make sure that you and your family have essential items ready if you need to evacuate in a hurry. Items such as basic toiletries, a phone charger, and insurance documents are often part of a grab-and-go bag. Pre-made grab-and-go bags are available for purchase; however, it is easy to assemble a grab-and-go bag yourself. If you cannot afford a grab-and-go bag, writing down a list of important items that you would want to remember to have with you in an evacuation is an excellent idea.

A household emergency kit is similar to a grab-and-go bag but is intended to support you and your family remain inside your home for up to 72 hours when there is no power or water available. Items such as a battery-powered lantern and supply of bottled water are often part of a household emergency kit.

PreparedBC has produced several guides overviewing how individuals and households can prepare both grab-and-go bags and household emergency kits.

Reporting an Emergency and Receiving Assistance

Police, ambulance, and fire emergencies should be reported by calling 911. However, some other phone numbers may also be good to have available. The following table lists useful phone numbers:

Emergency Support Services

Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a volunteer organization that helps deliver basic supports, such as food and accommodations, to people who are impacted by emergencies. Most emergency survivors that ESS assists are evacuees. ESS may refer evacuees to specific businesses so that they may receive assistance or else provide direct financial support via Interac e-Transfer.

You can download the BC Services Card mobile app and visit ess.gov.bc.ca to create an ESS profile. Creating an ESS profile will help you receive assistance faster if you are evacuated. You can create an ESS profile at any time regardless of whether or not you are under evacuation alert or order. You are still required to visit an ESS reception centre in order to complete the ESS registration process; however, creating an ESS profile will streamline this process. You can call the BC Evacuee Helpline at 1-800-387-4258 to receive help with creating an ESS profile.

Although it is not required to receive ESS assistance, configuring your personal banking so that you are able to receive Interac e-Transfers will allow you to receive direct assistance payments if you are evacuated. Money received via direct payment can then be used to purchase whatever supports best suit your specific needs.

The ESS program in Merritt relies on the support of both volunteers and local businesses. You can find more information regarding Merritt’s ESS program, including both how to volunteer with ESS and how to register your business as an ESS supplier, at merritt.ca/ess.

Air Quality Warnings

BC Air Quality can send you warnings via email and SMS text message when local air quality is forecasted to be poor. As Merritt does not have an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) monitoring station, Merritt only receives air quality warnings for wildfire smoke. You can register to receive air quality warnings by visiting the BC Air Quality Subscription Service website at aqss.nrs.gov.bc.ca and subscribing to the “Nicola” air quality region.

Register Your Pets With the SPCA

Pet owners can become separated from their pets during a chaotic emergency event like an evacuation. The BC Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Pet Registry can help identify your pets so that you can be reunited. Microchips and tattoos are typically used to register and identify pets.

Wildfire

Air Quality and Smoke

City of Merritt to Host Merritt Wildfire Information Session Open House