A test of the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System has been scheduled for mid-March.
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) plans to test its emergency notification system on March 12, 2025. In a release put out on Feb. 12, the CRD said this test is a crucial component to preparing for this year's wildfire season to ensure all residents are able to receive any evacuation notices or orders that impact them.
"A test notification will be sent to everyone who is subscribed to receive alerts from the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System, which is powered by VoyentAlert!," the CRD said. "Over 65,000 notifications will be sent out and received by nearly 30,000 subscribers to their mobile devices, landlines and email inboxes."
This text alert will be sent through all channels that subscribers to the system have registered for. The CRD said emails and texts should be expected to be received immediately, while automatic phone calls will be sent and received based on the capacity of the local telecommunications network. If you have signed up to receive voice calls, the CRD asks you to add the CRD Emergency Information line, 1-866-759-4977, to your contacts to ensure you receive the notification.
"It is also important to note that the system will continue to call until the receiver has acknowledged receipt during the phone call," the CRD said.
The CRD requests that over the next few weeks, the public ensure they are signed up for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System or log into their account to make sure their information is up to date. A critical component of the system, the CRD noted, is subscribers' ability to select multiple locations to receive notifications.
In addition to your primary home, this can include any secondary properties, favourite recreation sites and family members' homes. By having notifications set up for all of these you can ensure you'll be notified if an evacuation alert or order is issued for any of them.
"The best way to manage your information is by downloading the Voyent Alert app, available through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store," the CRD said. "You can also manage your info by signing up online through our website at www.cariboord.ca/EmergencyNotification."
Anyone who needs assistance in registering or has questions about how the CRD's system works can contact Emergency Programs staff at 1-800-665-1636.
