While we hope they don’t, disasters can happen anywhere and it’s important to be prepared. Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs. Plan how to meet or how to contact one another and discuss what you would do in different situations.
Should a wildfire event occur in Creston where an evacuation is required, the Town of Creston has a plan. If the time should come where evacuation is requested, be sure to follow directions from the local authorities (ie Emergency Responders, Police, Town Staff).
Evacuation Alert vs Evacuation Order
An Evacuation Alert means that you should be ready to leave on short notice. The Town will notify you of an alert by Voyent Alert, radio, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and website.
An Evacuation Order means you are at risk and should evacuate the area immediately. Follow the directions of local emergency officials and evacuate using the route(s) they’ve identified. Do not return home until you’ve been advised that the Evacuation Order has been rescinded. You will be notified of an Evacuation Order by Voyent Alert, radio, social media (Facebook and Instagram), website, and door knocking.
Sign up for Voyent Alert for emergency messages specifically for Creston! See back cover for a full description of Voyent Alert!
Help us by having a plan in place.
It’s important to have your own evacuation plan in place. Below are some tips to help you prepare:
When Creating Your Plan:
• Determine the best ways to evacuate your home in case of an emergency such as a home fire.
• Make sure adults and older children know where fire extinguishers, water, electric and gas utilities are located.
• Make sure everyone in the house knows the location of your emergency kit.
• Establish a safe place for your family to meet outside your home and outside of Town.
• Include a plan for evacuating your pets.
• If you can’t evacuate your home, prepare to be self-sufficient in your home for at least three days (or seven to 10 days in a health emergency).
• If a member of your family has special needs that would require extra assistance, include those details into your family emergency plan and emergency kit.
• If possible and needed, plan for transportation assistance.
• Know the plans for your workplace, school, community centre, etc. in the event a disaster happens when you are not at home.
• Practice your evacuation plan frequently.
What To Do During A Wildfire
• If you see a wildfire approaching your home, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Park vehicles facing out, windows up, unlocked. Ensure the vehicle is fully fueled. Keep vehicle keys with you.
• Pack your emergency kit and any valuables or items that cannot be replaced in your vehicle, in preparation to evacuate.
• Check on elderly relatives and neighbours to see if they require assistance.
• If you need assistance, place a help sign in your window.
• Monitor local media and be prepared to evacuate at any time.
Inside the Home. Do the following only if it is safe and there is time:
• Close windows, vents, doors, blinds, or non-combustible window coverings. Leave doors unlocked.
• Turn on all lights in the house, porch, garage and yard for increased visibility.
• Remove lightweight curtains, and close fire-resistant blinds.
• Move flammable furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors.
• Do not turn off your natural gas service if you’re evacuating. Fortis BC will turn off natural gas. Once it is safe, Fortis technicians will return to every home to restore natural gas service, if required.
Outside the Home. Do the following only if it is safe and there is time.
• Move flammable and combustible material, such as lawn furniture, away from the home.
• Turn off propane tanks, barbecue included. Move items away from the house, and into an open area where firefighters can see them.
• If on a farm/ranch, it is preferable to leave animals unsheltered. If time and personal safety permits, move them away from the danger zone.
• Monitor local media and be prepared to evacuate at any time.
• Connect garden hoses to outside faucets.
When Leaving Home
• Follow the directions of the local authority (ie Emergency Responders, Police, (ie Town of Creston Staff, Emergency Responders, Police).
• Do not drive through areas that have downed power lines.
• Do not attempt to drive through a wildfire unless directed by emergency officials.
• Follow evacuation routes as directed.
• Follow local social media and stay tuned to your local radio station for up-to-date information and possible road closures.