Where Can I Find Emergency Information?
The City of Merritt primarily publishes information about emergency events on the City Notices + Alerts webpage and by using Voyent Alert! mass notification program. Information about specific hazards can also be found on the following webpages:
The City of Merritt also recommends visiting the following websites to find accurate information:
- BC Air Quality Warnings
- BC Hydro power outage list
- BC RCMP newsroom
- BC River Forecast Centre flooding warning and advisory map
- BC River Forecast Centre streamflow condition map
- BC Wildfire Service dashboard
- DriveBC
- EmergencyInfoBC
- EmergencyMapBC
- Merritt Forecast
If you have a question or suggestion relating to emergency preparedness in Merritt, you can contact the Emergency Program Coordinator at emergency@merritt.ca.
EmergencyMapBC shows emergency events across all of BC.
PreparedBC Guides
PreparedBC offers a wide variety of downloadable guides and fill-in-the-blank plans to help you prepare for emergencies. Some of the key guides available from PreparedBC include:
- Home Emergency Plan
- Wildfire Preparedness Guide
- Flood Preparedness Guide
- Pandemic Preparedness Guide
- Hazmat/Dangerous Goods
- Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide
- Severe Winter Weather and Storm Preparedness Guide
Most guides are also available in multiple languages, including Français (French), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), and ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi).
Voyent Alert!
The City of Merritt uses Voyent Alert! to issue notifications during emergency events. Voyent Alert! can send notifications through its mobile app as well as by SMS text, email, and both mobile and landline telephone call.
You will only receive notifications from Voyent Alert! if you are registered with the program. You can configure Voyent Alert! so that you only receive notifications on the devices of your choosing and also only receive notifications that are relevant to your specific location. While Voyent Alert! does have a mobile app, you do not need to install the app in order to receive notifications. Signing up is easy and takes only a few moments.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) also uses Voyent Alert! and you can subscribe to receive notifications from the City of Merritt, the TNRD, or both.
Emergency Kits and Grab-and-Go Bags
PreparedBC has also published several written and video guides overviewing household emergency kits and grab-and-go bags. While generally quite similar, emergency kits are intended for stay-at-home use while a grab-and-go bag is intended for use if you are unexpectedly required to evacuate and need to leave your home in a hurry. Many of the items kept in emergency kits and grab-and-go bags can also be kept in vehicles for use during emergencies while travelling.
FireSmart
FireSmart is Canada’s primary wildfire resiliency program. FireSmart BC’s website contains a wide variety of resources and information regarding how you can prepare for wildfire and FireSmart your home or business.
In Merritt, FireSmart is managed by Merritt Fire Rescue Department. More information regarding the FireSmart program in Merritt, including how you can receive a 50% rebate for certain FireSmart project costs and how to book a free FireSmart home assessment, may be found at merritt.ca/firesmart.
Reporting An Emergency and Receiving Assistance
Police, ambulance, and fire emergencies should be reported by calling 9-1-1. However, you should also take down the following contact information in order to report certain types of emergency situations and to receive specialized assistance:
| Organization | Phone Number |
| BC Crime Stoppers | 1-800-222-8477 |
| BC Drug and Poison Information Centre | 1-800-567-8911 |
| BC SPCA Animal Helpline | 1-855-622-7722 |
| DriveBC | 511 or 1-800-550-4997 |
| HealthLinkBC | 811 |
| Merritt RCMP Non-emergency Line | 250-378-4262 |
| Report a Natural Gas Emergency | 1-800-663-9911 |
| Report a Power Outage | 1-888-769-3766 |
| Report a Wildfire | *5555 or 1-800-663-5555 |
| Report an Environmental Emergency | 1-800-663-3456 |
| ServiceBC Evacuee Helpline | 1-800-387-4258 |
| Suicide Crisis Helpline | 988 |
Create an ESS Profile
Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a volunteer organization that facilitates the delivery of basic supports, such as food and accommodations, to people impacted by emergencies. After an emergency takes place, ESS will set up a Reception Centre where evacuees can register to receive assistance. ESS provides assistance to evacuees using Interac e-Transfers or by issuing referrals to specific businesses.
You can self-register with ESS in order to receive evacuee assistance at any time regardless of whether or not you are under evacuation alert or order. You are still required to visit an ESS Reception Centre in order to complete the ESS registration process even if you self-register; however, self-registering streamlines this process.
Although it is not required to receive ESS assistance, configuring your personal banking so that you can receive Interac e-transfers will allow you to receive direct payments. Money received via direct payment can then be used to purchase whatever supports best suit your particular needs.
You can call 1-800-387-4258 for assistance with the ESS self-registration process.
The ESS program in Merritt relies on the support of both volunteers and local businesses. You can find more information regarding Merritt’s ESS program, including both how to volunteer with ESS and how to register your business as an ESS supplier, at merritt.ca/ess.
Air Quality Alerts
The BC Air Quality Subscription Service sends email and SMS text notifications regarding events that impact local air quality. As Merritt does not have an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) monitoring station, Merritt only receives air quality warnings relating to wildfire smoke.
Merritt is located in the BC Air Quality Subscription Service Nicola Air Quality Region.
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