Disasters and emergency events have shown the need for individuals to be prepared to look after themselves, their families and pets for a minimum of 72 hours. There are many sources for important information.

Emergency Management BC has developed an Individual & Neighbourhood All-Hazard Emergency Preparedness Workbook.

Mitigation

The Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability Assessment outlines and prioritizes the hazards to the city and the risk of their occurrence and guides the City of Kamloops ongoing mitigation efforts in reducing the likelihood of a hazardous event taking place and/or the severity of its impact. Some examples of the city's mitigation initiatives are:

Pandemic Planning
The city is assuming its role in supporting Interior Health planning, sharing information and helping with public health messaging.

Safety Tips for Managing during an Influenza Season:

1. Cover nose and mouth during coughing or sneezing - most effectively done by using your sleeved arm
2. Frequent, thorough hand washing with soap (use of antibacterial soap is helpful)
3. Frequent washing and disinfecting of surfaces in your home
4. Get a flu shot - This not only helps protect against current flu strains but can also help in reducing complications during a pandemic flu virus infection. In addition, getting a flu immunization helps to encourage the production of vaccine and its use towards public health.

Dangerous Goods Spill
The City of Kamloops addresses the risk of a hazardous materials event by undertaking such mitigation planning as addressing the need for Dangerous Goods Routes for transport trucks through the city and by practicing response capability by supporting training and exercises that involve the railroads, the trucking industry, the Kamloops Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Responders, and the city's Emergency Operation Centre team.

Flood
The City of Kamloops mitigates the risk of flooding by monitoring and repairing the current dykes on city property. Hazard response pre-planning is done 3-4 weeks in advance of possible flooding occurring. The city monitors the snow packs, stream flows on the North and South Thompson Rivers and the weather patterns within the North and South Thompson River Watershed area in communication with the Provincial Ministry of the Environment.

Fire
Interface & Wildfire - The City of Kamloops participates actively in mitigation and prevention initiatives through its City of Kamloops Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in conjunction with similar city plans and the Firesmart program. The city is at risk from both wildfire, (grasslands, brush and forests) and interface fire, (where a wildfire impacts property, buildings and/or people). The CWPP is a well-planned, sustainable prevention and preparedness program that combines public preparedness education around the wildfire risk with appropriate mitigation efforts.