Juan de Fuca electoral area residents now have the chance to get a heads-up about an emergency situation in a region, thanks to a new automated notification system.
The feature, called the Emergency Notification System, was launched this week through the Capital Regional District’s website that notifies residents via their home or cell phones, text or email in the event of a disaster or emergency.
Notifications include important safety information or instructions, depending on the situation, such as an earthquake or a tsunami, wildfire or a police emergency.
“This is a wonderful use of new technology for our JdF constituents to keep them safe,” said JdF director Mike Hicks, adding the system has been in the works for at least a year in partnership with emergency services groups such as the Juan de Fuca Emergency Program.
“Our emergency services JdF manager Jeri Grant, she did a wonderful job putting this together.”
Hicks noted the JdF electoral area pays a combined $1,164 a year to have a licence to use the system, which goes as far as Port Renfrew.
The Emergency Notification is available to all JdF residents via the CRD website, though users must first register before they can receive notifications. Users also have the option to add their their home or cell numbers or email, or all three, depending on how they wish to be notified.
Sooke residents however, are not elligibe.
For more info, please call 250-360-3649 or go to www.crd.bc.ca/ens.