ThereB次元官网网址檚 another tool out there for local fire departments to help keep people safe.

ItB次元官网网址檚 called an Emergency Notification System and all three fire departments on the Saanich Peninsula have one.

Simply put, itB次元官网网址檚 a voluntary system that requires people to sign up for phone calls, emails or text messages from each of the three fire departments.

In an emergency situation, where those officials deem it necessary to notify a large area or group of people, they will send messages explaining what to do and where to go.

In North Saanich, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Knapp says there are around 350 people signed up for the service. Knapp added their next big mass notification will be a test on Oct. 19 during Shakeout B.C. B次元官网网址� a province-wide earthquake drill.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just another tool in the toolbox (in emergency preparation),B次元官网网址� he said.

In Central Saanich, their emergency notification system has more than 200 people enrolled.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an extremely important tool, used in the right circumstances,B次元官网网址� said Fire Chief Chris Vrabel.

While the system does lend itself mostly to large-scale emergencies, Vrabel added itB次元官网网址檚 also handy when traffic had to be notified of a detour in other emergency situations.

The Central Saanich system is currently not taking any more sign-ups, but Vrabel indicated that will soon start up again and encouraged residents to watch for their opportunity to do so.

Sidney is, so far, leading the way in voluntary sign-ups with more than 1,200. ThatB次元官网网址檚 around 10 per cent of the population and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Harman said thatB次元官网网址檚 a great reaction in the systemB次元官网网址檚 first year of operation (it had its first anniversary on Oct. 1).

Harman said the system was actually put into service twice in its first year: once when the Peninsula was expected to be hit by the tail end of Hurricane Tonga last November, and the other when there was a gas leak near North Saanich Middle School.

Harman said the system is used for incidents that can affect a large amount of people and typically used sparingly B次元官网网址� so that people do not B次元官网网址済et used to itB次元官网网址� and its signal is lost in the noise of our day-to-day lives.

To learn more about the emergency notification systems in your Saanich Peninsula community, contact your local fire department.