A test of the qathet Regional District’s community notification system will run during emergency preparedness week.

Emergency preparedness week goes from May 1 to 7 this year. The district says the test will be done on Tuesday, May 3 at 1:15 p.m. and you can expect messages to be sent via email, voice and text messages.

The system is used by the three governments in the area (qathet Regional District, Tla’amin Nation and City of Powell River) to inform the community with important details in the case of an emergency.

Notifications are not sent via the provincial Alert Ready system. The system is locally run instead.

The district encourages residents to register for the system if they are not already. They also ask that residents encourage friends and neighbours to register.

qathet Regional District adds emergency preparedness week is a good time to check your grab and go bag along with your personal preparedness.

The district says anyone with questions can contact the Powell River fire department or qRD via email.

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North Island 911 and the City of Campbell River have reached a new five-year agreement for dispatch services.

North Island 911 is based in Campbell River and provides dispatch services for six regional districts on northern Vancouver Island and Powell River.

Corporation President Larry Samson says the new fixed-rate contract will provide more stability for both the city and the corporation.

He says having dispatch here on the North Island makes a big difference for crews on the ground.

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The contract will run through 2021, with an option for a five-year renewal.

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The Powell River Regional District will be testing its emergency notice system this week.

Manager of Emergency Services Ryan Thoms says people can register through the Powell River regional district's website to be contacted in the event of major events (earthquakes, storms, etc.).

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The system will be tested on Wednesday with a reminder about the Great BC Shakeout earthquake drill that is taking place on Thursday.

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Emergency Services are recognizing the important role of emergency dispatchers.

It's Emergency Service Dispatchers and 911 Awareness Week.

President of the North Island 911 Corporation, Larry Samson, says the dispatchers are the first link to the public in an emergency. Samson says it's extremely important that the dispatcher remains professional and calm during the call as the situation can be very tense.

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Samson notes that the North Island 911 Corporation handles approximately 100,000 calls a year and handles all calls North of Nanaimo and in Powell River.

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