I am asked by the Shuswap Lake General Hospital to attend an emergency meeting about the possibility of having to evacuate the acute care hospital and two long term care facilities. I alert Kamloops dispatch of this likely possibility, who in turn notify Regional Director Fred Plateel. I also notify our local crews and advise dispatcher Troy Clifford, on holiday in our area, that he may be called upon for communications at our end.
Local paramedics muster at the station.
Ashes are falling from the sky, some still hot enough to be uncomfortable on the skin. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the experience can't offer some pointers for the future. This group put their heads together and came up with recommendations designed to ease the way when BCAS has to manage similar disasters in the future. Individual recollections from Howard, Reiger and Fisher pointed to the huge range of issues arising during incidents of this type. For example, it's important to consider BCAS staff who both want to be on duty and are also responsible for seeing that their own families are safe and secure.