Emergency Preparedness
The City of Castlegar’s Emergency Program includes facilitating all aspects of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Emergency Program includes several groups working in a cooperative atmosphere, planning mitigation, preparation for, response to, and recovery from a major disaster or emergency, which extends beyond the normally used resources of the community.
The Castlegar Emergency Management Program consists of an Emergency Program Director, Emergency Program Coordinator, City staff, and representatives of various agencies as required, including:
- Emergency Management BC
- Emergency Responders, such as local fire departments and BC Ambulance
- Regional District of Central Kootenay and/or Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
- Emergency Social Services
- Provincial and Federal Ministries and Agencies
- Castlegar Society for Search and Rescue
- School District 20
- Canadian Red Cross
- Utilities, such as Fortis BC and BC Hydro
The City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is located in the Castlegar Fire Hall at 2161 6th Avenue.
Sign Up for Alerts
The City of Castlegar’s top priority is to quickly inform our residents and visitors of all emergencies and incidents that could impact them. Sign up to receive immediate text, phone, landline or email notifications of any emergency via Castlegar’s Voyent Alert! service at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/.
Working together, we can take proactive steps to build a safer and more resilient community.
Get Prepared!
Build a Grab-and-Go kit. In the event of a natural disaster, you may need to leave home quickly. Take time now to build a grab-and-go kit with each member of your household in mind.
Download Castlegar’s Evacuation Preparedness guide (PDF) for a list of what to include.
Wildfire
Wildfire events can threaten homes and impact air quality even across long distances. Wildfire season in British Columbia peaks in mid-June to September when conditions are dry and warm and can be caused by dry lightening, human activity, and other events.
Residents can pro-actively prepare for the wildfire season by reducing wildfire risks and fire fuels around their home, being responsible while camping or outdoors, creating a household emergency plan, and preparing a grab and go kit. The City encourages residents to research home insurance plans to ensure there is coverage in case of the need for evacuation or in case of potential property losses. Information on how to be better prepared for wildfire and guidance can be found at Emergency Management BC emergency preparedness page.
The City has a Community Wildfire Resilience Plan that guides mitigation and preparedness efforts at a community level. A Community Wildfire Resilience Committee meets on a quarterly basis to determine priorities on an annual basis. The City also facilitates its own Fire Smart program that helps guide residents and neighborhoods on how they can reduce risk.
Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality
Wildfire events impact air quality even across long distances. Wildfire smoke is harmful and can negatively impact vulnerable populations. The City’s air quality is often impacted by wildfire events to the south of us and to the northwest of us due to prevailing winds. Residents can monitor air quality advisories using the Province’s Air Quality Health Index. Tips for reducing your exposure include staying indoors and keeping doors and windows shut, designate a room in the house where a portable HEPA filter can assist with indoor air quality, using an N95 respirators while outdoors, or taking extra care if you have a predisposition for respiratory distress.
The City participates in HomeSave Central Kootenays which is a program that offers rebates and advice on how to retro-fit existing homes to make them more energy efficient and resilient to extreme heat and wildfire smoke events.
Extreme Heat
The City is located within the Southern Interior region of the province and is in considerable risk of extreme heat events. Extreme heat as defined by the Province is triggered by two days, or longer, where daytime temperatures exceed 35 degrees and nighttime temperatures do not fall below 18 degrees. Extreme heat events impact the health and wellbeing of residents and can lead to weather-related illness and fatalities. Extreme heat events can often occur concurrently with wildfire events across the Province. Health risks are most associated with indoor temperatures in homes without cooling systems. Indoor room temperatures over 26 degrees to 31 degrees may cause heat related illness.
The City activates several indoor cooling spaces during extreme heat events and has other indoor and outdoor facilities that can be used by residents during the day to cool off and connect with staff and other residents. These spaces are available from 11 am to 7 pm when Interior Health activates its community heat response plan.
- Castlegar Community Services Emergency Shelter – 1660 Columbia Avenue
- New Life Church – 602 7th Street
Other public facilities available in the community include:
- Castlegar & District Library – 1005 3rd Street
- Castlegar & District Recreation & Aquatic Centre – 2101 6th Avenue
- The Confluence – 1995 6th Avenue
- Kinsmen Park – 910 2nd street
- Kinnaird Park – 2501 14th Avenue
- Millennium Park & Ponds – 100 5th Street
Other preparedness actions that can be taken include opening windows at night when the air is cooler and keeping them closed during the day to block out heat, drinking more water even when not thirsty, using a mister or cold wet cloth, using an air conditioner or heat pump to keep indoor temperatures below 26 degrees, or staying with family or friends if you can not keep your home cool. When a heat warning has been issued, it is a good idea to check in on your neighbors who may be at an increased risk of extreme heat. Checking in with someone during a heat wave can save lives.
Extreme Weather & Power Outages
Heavy precipitation and wind events, vehicle accidents, and other events can cause sudden power outages. Electricity and gas in Castlegar is provided for through Fortis BC and BC Hydro. Residents can check the status of a power outage by using the Fortis BC Outage Map or the BC Hydro Outage Map. Steps that can be taken during power outages include:
- Turning off unnecessary light switches and appliances to avoid a power surge
- Keep the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will typically keep food cold for about 4 hours, while a full freezer can hold its temperature for roughly 48 hours
- Never heat your home using a gas stovetop or oven. Barbecues, portable propane stoves, and generators must only be operated outdoors, as they present serious fire hazards and can cause lethal carbon monoxide gas to build up.
- Always treat downed power lines as live and energized. Maintain a safe distance of at least 10 meters (33 feet) or three car lengths away and call emergency services immediately.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Sign up to receive immediate notifications of any emergency via Castlegar’s Voyent Alert service.