The Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) is launching a public awareness and engagement campaign as the freshet and wildfire seasons approach.

Staff told the RDCO Board at its April 11 meeting that the initiative aims to assess and enhance residents害羞草研究所� preparedness for emergencies.

害羞草研究所淭he overarching goal is to encourage communities to take steps to be better prepared,害羞草研究所� said Kari O害羞草研究所橰ourke, communications officer.

Campaign goals include ensuring residents know where to get emergency information, how to put together a 72-hour emergency kit, and how to support neighbours.

Referencing the McDougall Creek wildfire, West Kelowna May Gord Milsom said he would like evacuation, alert and emergency services registration information put out quickly during an emergency.

害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 know when we害羞草研究所檙e going to be faced with another wildfire, but it害羞草研究所檚 on the minds of our residents, particularly after last year,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淲e want to make sure they know what to do if they害羞草研究所檙e called upon to leave their homes again.害羞草研究所�

The NDP government was criticized for a backlog of evacuees waiting for support and accommodation during the McDougall Creek fire.

READ MORE: BC United claims NDP punishing West Kelowna evacuees

READ MORE: Premier Eby tours wildfire devastation in Central Okanagan

Milsom害羞草研究所檚 neighbour to the south, Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel pointed out that while communication is key, getting the public害羞草研究所檚 attention is equally important.

He used the low turnout for his community害羞草研究所檚 FireSmart Open House on April 6 as an example.

害羞草研究所淎 hundred of my residents, it害羞草研究所檚 not even one per cent of the total population,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭he way that we found is best to communicate with them, is having a newsletter direct in their mailbox.害羞草研究所�

Van Minsel added the board could also lobby senior government for additional funding for wildfire mitigation work.

A grant for residents to FireSmart their properties was recently increased to $1,000 from $500. Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland felt that amount is still not enough.

害羞草研究所淢any of these private properties are like guns pointed at our communities and their neighbours,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e not incentivizing those people enough.害羞草研究所�

The Community Readiness Public Engagement runs from April 15 to May 12 and will include open houses, and media campaigns.

Additional resources are available on the and websites.

READ MORE: Okanagan Climate Hub launches speakers series for Earth Week