The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is encouraging residents and second homeowners to sign up for its recently launched emergency notification system.
Announced on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Whistler Alert sends out mass notifications by text, email and phone call with up-to-date information in the event of an emergency. Those who have registered for the service will be notified when there is a situation "involving an imminent or possible threat to lives or property in Whistler," the RMOW said in a release.
Whistler Alert differs from the provincial emergency system, which only sends alerts during mass disasters that affect a large part of B.C.
If residents or visitors receive an emergency notification through Whistler, they should follow the recommended action in the alert, which could include, but is not limited to, an evacuation order or notice to avoid travelling to a certain area or to remain indoors. They should also seek out more information from credible sources, such as the municipal website, whistler.ca, and local news sources. Do not call 911 for more information.
Whistler Alert is part of the RMOW's Multimodal Evacuation Plan released earlier this year, which outlines how emergency officials will safely evacuate the community once an order is in place. The Whistler Alert system will be the primary notification tool during an evacuation or another emergency that requires officials to provide specific details.
Sign up for Whistler Alert at whistler.ca/whistleralert. For more information on how to prepare for an emergency and what to do in the event of one, visit whistler.ca/emergency.
