INFORMATION RELEASE

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has initiated a project to address extreme heat events through assessment and strategic planning across communities throughout the region. This initiative, supported by a grant from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), is aimed at enhancing the region's resilience to extreme heat. 

The extreme heat project will involve:

• Mapping heat risk areas
• Identifying vulnerable populations
• Developing tailored actions for public and private facilities
• Developing recommendations for upgrades of existing community infrastructure as cooling centres
• Planning new infrastructure within parks
• Identifying opportunities for new policies and programs to enhance community health, emergency response, and resilience to extreme heat

The project will gather insights, feedback and experiences from various interested parties, including syilx Okanagan communities, local community representatives and the general public, to help identify effective strategies for making communities safer and more resilient to extreme heat.

The RDOS is hosting several public engagement initiatives, including in-person and virtual workshops, a survey, and an interactive project page on the RDOS Regional Connections website. Engagement sessions will be held throughout May and June 2024 and registration is recommended. For a full list of the engagement sessions, please visit rdosregionalconnections.ca/extreme-heat.

For further information, please visit rdosregionalconnections.ca, or contact Matt Weller, RDOS Sustainability Manager.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contacts:

Matt Weller
RDOS Sustainability Manager
250-490-4115 

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-Free 1-877-610-3737