In It Together
RDCK to Test Emergency Notification System on Monday, May 5
Nelson, BC: In It Together, that’s the theme for Emergency Preparedness Week 2025 (May 4–10), a national campaign that reminds us that preparing for emergencies is a shared responsibility. Whether it’s a wildfire, flood, or power outage, our ability to respond and recover is stronger when we work together as neighbours, families, and communities.
At the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), we are encouraging residents to use this week as an opportunity to take action, talk to your family about your emergency plan, build or update your grab-and-go kit, and check in with neighbours, because we are in it together.
As part of Emergency Preparedness Week , the RDCK will conduct its annual TEST of the Emergency Notification System on Monday, May 5th at approximately 2:00 pm. Anyone registered with the RDCK’s Emergency Notification System will receive a TEST NOTIFICATION by text, email, landline, or through the Voyent Alert! app, depending on their chosen settings.
If you are new to the area or have not yet signed up for emergency notifications, please go to www.rdck.ca/EmergencyNotification. To ensure you receive important emergency information relevant to your location, it is imperative that residents update their account with accurate location information. Please take this opportunity to log in to the system and double check your details: www.rdck.ca/EmergencyNotification.
“If there’s one thing emergency events have taught us, it’s that no one is in this alone,” said Dan Séguin, RDCK Manager of Community Sustainability. “Preparedness starts at home, but it doesn’t stop there. Checking in on a neighbour, planning with family, or signing up for emergency alerts, every action helps build a safer and better prepared region.”
The City of Nelson, which also uses Voyent Alert!, will conduct a separate TEST of their notification system earlier on the same day.
Emergency Preparedness Week is a great time to take a few simple steps to improve your readiness:
- Sign up to receive RDCK Emergency Notifications or login to update your set locations
- Prepare a “grab and go” kit
- Make a home emergency plan with this handy template
- Plan for your pets
- Plan for where you will go if you need to evacuate
- Learn more about emergency preparedness
During the week, the RDCK will share preparedness tips on Facebook, covering topics like alerts, kits, planning, pets, and property protection.