When smoke from nearby forest fires descended on the Howe Sound a few weeks ago, there was one question on many Bowen Islanders’ minds: what would happen if a massive forest fire prompted an evacuation here?
The island used to have a program in which NERPs — Neighbourhood Emergency Resources Persons — volunteered to take the lead in their neighbourhoods to prepare and cope with such emergencies. But it has fallen by the wayside. Now the Bowen Island Volunteer Fire Department is looking for volunteers to get it going again.
A NERP needs to live on the island full-time. If there’s an evacuation, they’d be the ones who let their neighbours know and make sure that any vulnerable residents are assisted.
“You can’t do a whole neighbourhood yourself,” says Bruce Steele, so a NERP would also work on building a team that could be readily called into action to assist.
If you’re interested in either a leadership role, or want to be a foot soldier, you’re asked to contact him at [email protected] or 604-947-9473.
A meeting will be planned for a future date to discuss roles and responsibilities.
