Emergency Management
Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Floods, wildfires, extreme heat, winter storms, chemical spills, and earthquakes all pose a risk to Armstrong.
The City of Armstrong is committed to working year-round to reduce these risks and support residents and businesses before, during, and after emergencies. The more we prepare today, the more resilient our community will be when disaster strikes.
Everyone has a role in emergency preparedness—from school-aged children to seniors. Knowing what to do before an emergency is the best protection.
Emergency Management
Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Floods, wildfires, extreme heat, winter storms, chemical spills, and earthquakes all pose a risk to Armstrong.
The City of Armstrong is committed to working year-round to reduce these risks and support residents and businesses before, during, and after emergencies. The more we prepare today, the more resilient our community will be when disaster strikes.
Everyone has a role in emergency preparedness—from school-aged children to seniors. Knowing what to do before an emergency is the best protection.
Alertable
Stay informed with Alertable, the emergency notification system used by the City of Armstrong.
Alertable is used to share time-sensitive information and instructions about local emergencies such as wildfires, floods, severe weather, and other hazards.
Why sign up for Alertable?
- Receive emergency alerts and important updates
- Check for closures, restrictions, and hazards in advance
- Choose how you want to be notified:
- Smartphone app (recommended)
- Text message
- Phone call
- Website
- Social media
- Smart home speaker
The Alertable app is recommended because it can send you alerts based on your real-time location and from any jurisdiction that uses the app.
Alertable
Stay informed with Alertable, the emergency notification system used by the City of Armstrong.
Alertable is used to share time-sensitive information and instructions about local emergencies such as wildfires, floods, severe weather, and other hazards.
Why sign up for Alertable?
Receive emergency alerts and important updates
- Check for closures, restrictions, and hazards in advance
- Choose how you want to be notified: Smartphone app (recommended), Text message, Email, Phone call, Website, Social media, and Smart home speaker.
The Alertable app is recommended because it can send you alerts based on your real-time location and from any jurisdiction that uses the app.
Find Alertable here:
Evacuation information
In some emergencies, residents may be asked to prepare to leave (Evacuation Alert) or leave immediately (Evacuation Order).
The City of Armstrong may:
- Activate an Emergency Operations Centre
- Coordinate community-wide evacuation procedures
- Work with Emergency Support Services (ESS), the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), and the Canadian Red Cross
- Coordinate resources and agencies involved in response and recovery
Evacuation information
In some emergencies, residents may be asked to prepare to leave (Evacuation Alert) or leave immediately (Evacuation Order).
The City of Armstrong may:
- Activate an Emergency Operations Centre
- Coordinate community-wide evacuation procedures
- Work with Emergency Support Services (ESS), the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), and the Canadian Red Cross
- Coordinate resources and agencies involved in response and recovery
Emergency Management in Armstrong
The City of Armstrong provides emergency management services directly to the community, including:
- Support to first responders (fire, police, ambulance, and public works) during major incidents
- Operation of an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) when needed
- Coordination of Emergency Support Services (ESS) with RDNO and the Canadian Red Cross
- Community-wide evacuation planning, response, and recovery coordination
We also work closely with:
Emergency Management BC (EMBC)
Emergency Management BC is the provincial program that supports local governments before, during, and after emergencies by providing training, guidance, and coordination.
Public Safety Canada coordinates federal emergency management efforts and provides information to help Canadians prepare, including guides and public awareness campaigns such as Emergency Preparedness Week.
Emergency Management in Armstrong
The City of Armstrong provides emergency management services directly to the community, including:
- Support to first responders (fire, police, ambulance, and public works) during major incidents
- Operation of an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) when needed
- Coordination of Emergency Support Services (ESS) with RDNO and the Canadian Red Cross
- Community-wide evacuation planning, response, and recovery coordination
We also work closely with:
Emergency Management BC (EMBC)
Emergency Management BC is the provincial program that supports local governments before, during, and after emergencies by providing training, guidance, and coordination.
Public Safety Canada coordinates federal emergency management efforts and provides information to help Canadians prepare, including guides and public awareness campaigns such as Emergency Preparedness Week.
Know the Risks in Armstrong
Extreme Heat
The City of Armstrong works with Interior Health and the Province of BC to provide information to help residents avoid heat-related illness.
Heat Event Response Planning
Developing a municipal heat response plan: a guide for medium-sized municipalities
Communicating Health Risks of Extreme Heat
Communicating the Health Risks of Extreme Heat Events
This Toolkit is intended for use by public health and emergency management officials who are developing or updating heat-health communication strategies. Includes public communications materials.
Extreme Heat
The City of Armstrong works with Interior Health and the Province of BC to provide information to help residents avoid heat-related illness.
You can add links here to your specific heat planning documents, Interior Health resources, or provincial guidance pages.
Heat Event Response Planning
Developing a municipal heat response plan: a guide for medium-sized municipalities
Communicating Health Risks of Extreme Heat
Communicating the Health Risks of Extreme Heat Events
This Toolkit is intended for use by public health and emergency management officials who are developing or updating heat-health communication strategies. Includes public communications materials.
Wildfires
Wildfire risk is seasonal and continues to evolve across our region.
The City of Armstrong:
• Monitors wildfire conditions and statistics
• Acts on advice from the BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC
• Coordinates local response and communication during wildfire events
Wildfires
Wildfire risk is seasonal and continues to evolve across our region.
The City of Armstrong:
• Monitors wildfire conditions and statistics
• Acts on advice from the BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC
• Coordinates local response and communication during wildfire events
Wildfire Resources:
Flooding
The City of Armstrong takes steps each year to prepare for potential flooding, especially during the spring freshet.
Key Documents & Actions:
- Annual Spring Freshet Preparation – seasonal actions to reduce flood risk
- Flood Mapping and Risk Assessment Report (2019) – provides flood mapping, risk assessment, and information to support an Integrated Flood Management Plan (IFMP)
General Flood Preparedness Resources:
Flooding
The City of Armstrong takes steps each year to prepare for potential flooding, especially during the spring freshet.
Key Documents & Actions:
- Annual Spring Freshet Preparation – seasonal actions to reduce flood risk
- Flood Mapping and Risk Assessment Report (2019) – provides flood mapping, risk assessment, and information to support an Integrated Flood Management Plan (IFMP)
General Flood Preparedness Resources:
Do Your Part
Be Prepared
Preparations such as packing a “Grab & Go” bag can make a big difference in the event of a disaster. If you are on a prescription, don’t forget your medication.
Be Prepared
Preparations such as packing a “Grab & Go” bag can make a big difference in the event of a disaster. If you are on a prescription, don’t forget your medication.
Volunteer for Emergency Support Services
Emergency Support Services (ESS) provides short-term support to people forced from their homes by emergencies or disasters.
ESS is volunteer-based and relies on community members who are willing to help plan for the well-being of their neighbours during emergencies.
Volunteers may help with:
- Reception centres
- Group lodging
- Registration and referrals
- Information and support for evacuees
Volunteer for Emergency Support Services
Emergency Support Services (ESS) provides short-term support to people forced from their homes by emergencies or disasters.
ESS is volunteer-based and relies on community members who are willing to help plan for the well-being of their neighbours during emergencies.
Volunteers may help with:
- Reception centres
- Group lodging
- Registration and referrals
- Information and support for evacuees
Emergency Preparation for Pets
If you are ordered to evacuate, take your pets with you. Leaving them behind is not recommended.
Please note: most emergency shelters cannot accept pets (except certified service animals), so planning ahead is essential.
Plan ahead by:
- Asking relatives or friends outside your area if they can take your pets
- Contacting boarding kennels and veterinary clinics about emergency boarding
- Checking motels, hotels, or campgrounds that accept pets
Include pet supplies in your Grab & Go plan, such as:
- Leash and collar with ID tags
- Portable kennel or carrier
- Food and water for several days
- Any medications
- A copy of vaccination records
If there is advance warning of a disaster, keep pets indoors so you can leave quickly if needed.
COVID 19 Informaition
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve around the world. The City of Armstrong’s top priority is to encourage and maintain the health and safety of citizens, visitors and staff. The City continues to follow directions from the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada.
