November post

The current directors of LIRA have serious reservations as to the effectiveness and cost of any large dispatch system run from Vancouver and Victoria. In the event of a major earthquake Triage indicates that the major population centers will be looked after first. 911 will be overloaded, and it will be weeks or months before anyone even wonders if Lasqueti is still above water.

This is why we need a system that is made for us, maintained by us, and run by us. After a concerted push back from islanders the Powell River Regional District (PRRD) backed down a notch and allowed us a year to develop an alternative.  They would not however rescind the two bylaws, 911 and house numbering. This means their staff are continuing to push that agenda, which has led to less than open communication. One of the staff has tried to stop the island  volunteers working on the dispatch situation more than once.

Elsewhere on this site is a thumbnail plan laying out one of the options on which we’re working. We have some very savvy local technical expertise on this issue. If you have experience in programming, mapping, radio propagation, or would like to help, please step up. Because of the antics of PRRD staff this system will be developed without their input.

Of the  property owners contacted here is a breakdown:

Lasqueti………………….….156

Victoria,Gulf Islands……..75

Out of country……………..29

Out of province…………….24

Vancouver……………………59

Rest of BC…………………….27

As well as working on the dispatch system, others are looking into community preparedness for major medical emergencies.