Extreme Heat Assessment and Response Planning

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 involves:

• 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 project partners working together to guide this work include:

• Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB)
• Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB)
• Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB)
• Penticton Indian Band (PIB)
• Town of Princeton
• District of Summerland
• Town of Oliver
• Town of Osoyoos
• Village of Keremeos

An important component of the project is the engagement with the community about their experiences in extreme heat events, as well as their input to manage future events for the region. Engagement sessions will be held for communities who share geographic proximity and potential community resources to encourage collaboration and gather important feedback for the project. The community is encouraged to attend the workshops co-facilitated by the RDOS, project partners and consultants Introba and Reimagine Architects, as these will provide opportunities for structured feedback to inform the project outcomes.

Engagement with Communities

Engagement sessions will be held throughout May and June 2024 through in-person and virtual workshops.

In-person engagement sessions: for the general public (registration encouraged)
Click here to register.

• Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 9:00 – 11:00 am: Oliver Community Hall, 6359 Park Drive, Oliver
• Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Sonora Community Centre, 8505 68 Ave, Osoyoos
• Thursday, May 23, 2024, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Summerland Arts Centre, 9525 Wharton St, Summerland
• Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: The Princeton & District Community Skills Centre, 206 Vermillion Ave, Princeton
• Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Similkameen Recreation Centre, 311 9^thSt, Keremeos
• Thursday, June 6, 2024, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: Okanagan Falls Recreation Centre, 1141 Cedar Street, Okanagan Falls

Virtual engagement sessions: for community representatives (registration required)
Click here to register. Log-in details will be provided.

• Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Virtual collaborative workshop with first responders & health organizations and service providers
• Thursday, May 16,10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Virtual collaborative workshop with RDOS/Municipal Staff/Recreation Facilities Staff
• Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: virtual collaborative workshop with community groups & service providers who support vulnerable groups
• Thursday, May 30, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: virtual collaborative workshop with Provincial Groups and Business Organizations

An online survey will be launched at a later date.