Evacuees asked to leave a note on the door

It’s a small thing, but it would make a big difference in a time of emergency.

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP is asking the public to leave a note for emergency personnel as part of their evacuation plan.

“Once an evacuation order is issued, the first priority will always be life safety,” stated Warren Smith, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Armstrong. “We are asking our residents who are on evacuation alert, as part of your emergency preparedness plan, to prepare a note you can leave at your property should you be evacuated. The note should be posted in a highly visible location and should include your family name, when you left, where you are, and a contact number you can be reached at.”

The information has been particularly useful to police, emergency responders and volunteers who have been going door-to-door assisting with evacuation orders.

Constable Chris Terleski, media relations officer, said residents who have been ordered to evacuate, or have decided to evacuate in advance of an order, if possible, are asked to leave a note like the one shown in the accompanying picture.

“This information is key, and with it, we can confidently move on to the next home knowing you and your loved ones are safe, which will always be our first priority,” Terleski explained.