Emergency Preparedness

Registration for the region-wide (all of the Sunshine Coast) service is FREE, simple and totally anonymous.

• For mobile app alerts: Download and install the Voyent Alert! app from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
• For email, text message or voice call alerts: Register online.

Note: For accurate alerting it is recommended that you use your civic address not your postal code, or click and drag the pin to your approximate location.

• Personalized communications
  • Voyent Alert! provides critical information such as the distance and direction from an incident, expected incident arrival time and preferred evacuation routes from your followed locations are provided.
• Follow multiple locations
  • Voyent Alert! allows you to create and follow multiple locations such as “Kids School” or “Mom’s House”. Any event or communication related to your followed locations will be forwarded to you along your preferred communication channel.
• No message fatigue
  • The alert system's smart alerting capabilities ensure that you will only get notified when a communication is relevant to you or one of the locations you are following.
• Communications your way
  • Register for one or all of the communication channels. Receive alerts over a wide variety of communication channels including mobile apps, text/SMS alerting, email or voice calling. 
• Privacy is paramount
  • Registration is anonymous, and no information volunteered or derived is shared or used for marketing or data harvesting purposes. Locational information from your followed locations is only used to determine its proximity to an alert event and to provide critical context within the communications (such as distance and direction).
• Leaving is easy

  • Both mobile applications and web-based accounts provide access to an unsubscribe feature accessed via the menu icon on the top right of the screen/page. If the service isn’t working out simply click on the “Unsubscribe” button and you won’t be hearing from us again.

Being fire prepared

Residents should protect their homes and be fire smart.

• Maintain a fire safe zone around your home. This means no flammable, dry debris or firewood within 2 meters of the house.
  • Prune lower branches on trees to within 2 metres of the ground
• Decrease density of trees to 3 metres to reduce the opportunity for flames to jump tree to tree
  • When it is time for a new roof or siding consider fire-resistant material.

Preparing for evacuation

If you are under evacuation alert it means get ready to go. You might not be evacuated but if you are, you need to be prepared.

Here is what you need to do:

• Put gas in the car. Get extra if you can.
  • Pack your essentials.
• Have your bags at the door, in your trailer or in your car ready at a moment's notice.
  • Let your family know you are on alert and where you plan to go if you are evacuated
• Designate an emergency contact person who lives outside the area.

Evacuation order

If you are under evacuation order, it means:

• You are at risk.
  • Leave the area immediately.
• Local police or RCMP enforce evacuation orders.
  • You are encouraged to register all family members at the reception centre so emergency responders know that you are safe (it also records your information in case you may be eligible for support services during the evacuation).
• Listen to the radio, check local news sites, the District's or Regional District's website, and Facebook pages for information on the best routes to take, shelter sites and changes to the evacuation order.

Prepare

• Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
  • Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
• Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
  • Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
  • Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
• Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
  • Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 5 degrees or higher.
• Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.

During an outage

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
  • Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
  • Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
  • If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
• Check on neighbors.