“I understand that people are concerned and, in some cases, afraid of wildfire season,” said Katherine Severson, Banff’s director of emergency management and protective services. “There is a lot of direction and resources available on our website (banff.ca) and … effective things that people can do to be personally prepared. I don’t want people to think there isn’t action they can take.”
- Verify/validate insurance: Homeowners should check which coverage they have for disasters such as fire, flooding, etc. that is deemed a risk to their property. Rental tenants should ensure content coverage for suite. Follow up with insurance companies once a year to make sure nothing has changed.
- Register for alerts: Alert systems such as the Banff Voyent Alert and Alberta Emergency Alert are great for updates if an emergency event is occurring, such as updates on if and where evacuation orders have been issued. Register using the links at banff.ca and …
- Have an evacuation plan: Know how you would leave town, who to contact, where to go, and identify neighbours and/or family members who might need aid during an emergency situation.
- Pre-identify, digitize important documents: Have additional physical or digital copies of important documents such as a passport, health card, birth certificate, etc. and store them off-site. Using a smartphone, document all your possessions and crucial documents through video or photographs.
- Be prepared to go or to stay: A 72-hour kit for either an evacuation or staying at home should be ready to go, which would include enough food, water, medication, etc. for three days. Make sure any pets have similar items prepared, and in the event of an evacuation, take pets with you. For vehicle owners, keep your vehicle filled with as much fuel as can be afforded.
I don’t have a personal vehicle, what should I do during an evacuation?
In the case of an evacuation, mass transportation, public and private buses will be used to evacuate those without access to a personal vehicle. It’s important to register for systems like the Banff Voyent Alert, which can be found at banff.ca, that gives clear directions on where to access transportation, such as a Roam transit stop or another specific location deemed safe. Only bring 72-hour kits and have pets on a leash.
