Whistler’s emergency preparedness is shifting into high gear for the upcoming summer. This Thursday, April 18, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Whistler Fire Rescue Services and RCMP will conduct a wildfire evacuation drill in designated areas of the Spring Creek neighbourhood.
The exercise, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon and focus on Spring Creek from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., will involve approximately 30 emergency management staff responding to a simulated scenario.
While residents will not be evacuated during the drill, they can expect to receive test notifications via the Whistler Alert system if they have signed up for emergency alerts. Emergency vehicles will also be active on the roads, with fire trucks heading to the “wildfire” site and RCMP assisting with the “evacuation.” A reception center will be set up at the Spring Creek Fire Hall for mock evacuees, and roughly 184 residences within the “evacuation zone” will be affected, including the Bear Ridge complex on Spring Creek Drive.
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However, Spring Creek Community School, Spring Creek Daycare, Spring Creek Community Centre, PearlSpace, and Zero Ceiling will not participate in the evacuation exercise.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increasing number of communities in B.C. affected by natural disasters – disasters that have required significant evacuation efforts,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “Because of the shifts we’re seeing with climate change, these events are becoming more common. Just this past summer, we saw wildfires devastate the Gunn Lake community. I know that hit home for many of us. What we can take from this is that emergency preparedness is more important than ever.”
Local RCMP officers will deliver evacuation notices door-to-door and guide the residents to the evacuation reception centre as “mock evacuees.” The RMOW strongly suggests all Whistlerites sign up for Whistler Alert to prepare for future emergencies.
Whistlerites are urged to sign up for Whistler Alert to receive text messages, phone calls, and emails during emergencies that may impact their safety or property. Those with questions about the drill can contact eocwhistler@whistler.ca.
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