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:
We also recommend visiting the following websites in order to find accurate information about emergency events:
Questions about emergency preparedness in Merritt?
Contact the Emergency Management Coordinator
Phone: 778-921-0359
Email: emergency@merritt.ca
PreparedBC Guides
PreparedBC offers a wide variety of downloadable guides and fill-in-the-blank plans to help you and your family 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.
Grab-and-Go Bags and Household Emergency Kits
A grab-and-go bag is intended to make sure that you and your family have essential items ready if you need to evacuate in a hurry. Items such as basic toiletries, a phone charger, and insurance documents are often part of a grab-and-go bag. Pre-made grab-and-go bags are available for purchase; however, it is easy to assemble a grab-and-go bag yourself. If you cannot afford a grab-and-go bag, writing down a list of important items that you would want to remember to have with you in the event of an evacuation is an excellent idea.
A household emergency kit is similar to a grab-and-go bag but is intended to support you and your family remain inside your home for up to 72 hours when there is no power or water available. Items such as a battery-powered lantern and supply of bottled water are often part of a household emergency kit.
PreparedBC has produced several guides overviewing how individuals and households can prepare both grab-and-go bags and household emergency kits.
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, some other phone numbers may also be good to have available. The following table lists useful phone numbers:
| 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 | 5-1-1 or 1-800-550-4997 |
| HealthLinkBC | 8-1-1 |
| 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 |
| Service BC Evacuee Helpline | 1-800-387-4258 |
| Suicide Crisis Helpline | 9-8-8 |
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 who are evacuated or displaced in an emergency event. After an emergency takes place, ESS will set up a reception centre where evacuees can register to receive assistance. ESS may provide assistance to evacuees by using Interac e-Transfers or by issuing referrals to specific businesses.
You can use the BC Services Card app to create an ESS profile. Creating an ESS profile will help you receive assistance faster if you are evacuated. You can create an ESS profile 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; however, creating an ESS profile will streamline this process.
Although it is not required to receive ESS assistance, configuring your personal banking so that youcan receive Interac e-Transfers will allow you to receive direct assistance payments if you are evacuated. Money received via direct payment can then be used to purchase whatever supports best suit your specific needs.
You can call the Service BC evacuee helpline at 1-800-387-4258 for assistance with creating an ESS profile.
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.
Register Your Pets With the SPCA
Pet owners can become separated from their pets during a chaotic emergency event like an evacuation. The BC Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) BC Pet Registry can help identify your pets so that you can be reunited. Microchips and tattoos are typically used to register and identify pets.
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