INFORMATION RELEASE

Having a plan to manage a power outage can take away the stress for you and your family. A power outage is a short or long-term loss of electric power to an area. You may be without light, heat, and hot water. 

Residents should be prepared for the possibility of being without power for at least 72 hours or more.

To prepare for a power outage:

• Develop an emergency plan
• Put together your emergency kit
• Connect with your neighbours

For preparedness tips and resources, please visit preparedbc.ca.

Reliable fire response during power outages
A power outage will not prevent RDOS fire departments from remaining fully functional. All fire departments within the RDOS, including those operated by First Nations and municipalities, are equipped with firefighting apparatus such as tenders and pumpers that allow crews to draw water from natural sources, including lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams. These capabilities ensure fire suppression can continue when hydrant systems powered by electricity are offline.

All fire departments are part of regional Mutual Aid Agreements, enabling members to call on neighbouring fire departments for support. This collaboration ensures a robust and coordinated response within fire districts during extended power outages or significant emergencies.

While low water levels or limited backup power may affect fire suppression capabilities during power outage events, contingency plans are in place to address these challenges. This includes the deployment of water tenders, access to natural water sources within the region, and mutual aid agreements with neighbouring fire departments to ensure continued fire response capabilities.

Communication systems with backup power
RDOS Fire Dispatch will remain fully operational during a power outage with assistance from the following resources:

• A primary radio communications network powered by RDOS-managed radio towers. The towers are equipped with backup generators that can sustain operations for up to two weeks.
• A secondary dispatch network supported by Telus landline systems, Starlink, or Iridium network, which include independent power backup systems.

Residents or visitors who call 9-1-1 from copper-based landline or mobile phones will continue to connect to emergency services if the telecommunications company’s infrastructure is not compromised. Fiber optic telephone lines do not function during power outages. 

Reliable emergency response during power outages
The RDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will remain active and capable of coordinating emergency response throughout any power outage. Trained staff are prepared to provide strategic coordination, community messaging, and operational support to First Nations communities and municipalities as requested.

To enhance regional capabilities, the RDOS can deploy:

• A Mobile Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC) trailer
• A Mobile Command Centre (MCC) truck

The mobile units can be positioned in affected communities to serve as hubs for emergency coordination and public support during extended outages or localized crises. The Regional District remains committed to maintaining essential emergency operations and ensuring the safety and resilience of communities.

Notifications
To receive updates and emergency notifications, please sign up for Voyent Alert! at rdos.bc.ca or log in to update your account. 

For further information, please contact Sean Vaisler, RDOS Emergency Services Manager or RDOS Communications.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contacts:

Sean Vaisler
RDOS Emergency Services Manager
250-490-4225 

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737

PreparedBC.ca