Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Flooding in Armstrong in May 2017 that led to the city declaring a state of emergency (Photo credit: City of Armstrong).
By Pete McIntyre
strategic plan

Armstrong makes emergency planning a priority

Mar 28, 2022 | 2:30 PM

Armstrong’s mayor said the city will be more prepared for emergency incidents by adding emergency planning as a goal for its 2022 strategic plan.

“An emergency is never planned, but we must be as prepared as we can be for any event and this process will ensure that we are ready,” said Mayor Chris Pieper.

The new objective makes emergency response measures a council priority in an effort to improve the city’s preparedness, response and recovery for incidents like wildfires and flooding.

Among the new measures are a dedicated Emergency Operations Centre in the new city hall, creating city hall emergency response and safety plans, developing a community emergency evacuation plan and the completion of a White Rock Lake wildfire after-action review.

The city will be hosting a public-information meeting during Emergency Preparedness week in May.

Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Apr 10, 2026
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
Apr 10, 2026
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
Apr 10, 2026

“This is a further commitment from council that shows that they are invested in ensuring that the city is taking steps to mitigate risk, are prepared and responsive to emergencies and are taking steps to pre-invest in recovery needs before incidents occur,” said Community Services manager Warren Smith.

The newly updated strategic plan also includes goals for affordable housing, economic development, public infrastructure such as roads, sewer, and stormwater, and updating several key planning bylaws, such as the Official Community Plan, zoning and building bylaws.

The plan guides municipal operations and is used for assessing progress and results for success during council’s term.

The 2022 strategic plan is available for review on the city’s website.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

More Foliage
New trees to be planted at Kin Beach
The park at Okanagan Lake will be getting some new foliage.The City of Vernon was successful in obtaining a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Government of Canada to be used to plant new trees at Kin Beach Park.In the spring of 2025 the city removed 22 mature poplar trees from Kin Beach Park ...
1h ago
Read More
No Temporary Shelter
Petition calls for end of camping at Vernon's Hidden Park
Vernonites are hoping to stop people from camping in a small park just outside the downtown core.A petition signed by 100 people say Hidden Park, located on 33rd Avenue, is not suitable for overnight sheltering as it's small, close to homes, and intended to be used as a neighbourhood recreation place.The residents are ...
Apr 12, 2026
Read More
Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Coldstream is holding a special meeting to inform the public about newly-proposed regulations around septic tanks.The municipality had proposed extending the setback for large septic facilities located near watercourses to a distance of 70 metres.However, Greater Vernon Water reviewed the proposed change, and had inste...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Big Winner
Kelowna man wins $675K Set for Life prize
A Kelowna man is celebrating a life-changing lottery win after scratching a Set for Life ticket.Clifford F. won the game's top prize, choosing a lump sum payout of $675,000 after initially being confused by the word "annuity" when checking his ticket on the BCLC Lotto! App."I knew what the word meant, bu...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Know the law
Vernon Mounties warn E-dirt bike riders to stay off public roads, spaces
Nicer weather may prompt some off-road motorbike riders to travel on public streets and spaces, so Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are out with a reminder that E-dirt bikes, although they are battery powered, are for off-road use only.They are not permitted on roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, or any other public space, and any...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
A new maternity care option has opened in Vernon.Interior Health partnered with organizations in the area to open the Orchard Maternity Vernon clinic at the Vernon Health Unit, located at 1440 14th Ave.The new clinic provides prenatal care to low-risk pregnancies through the first six to eight weeks following a birth.&...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Drought Predicted
OBWB wanting municipalities to be consistent with drought messaging
The water protection advocacy agency is wanting to see more consistency in how local municipalities put out messaging about drought conditions.With the River Forecast Centre reporting that the Okanagan's snowpack was 58 per cent of normal as of April 1, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) said the region should be pr...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Round 2
Rockets open second round tonight against Silvertips
The Kelowna Rockets open their second-round WHL playoff series tonight against the Everett Silvertips.Game 1 goes at 7:05 p.m. PST in Everett, as Kelowna takes on the league-leading Silvertips after sweeping the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1.Everett also advanced via a first-round sweep of Portland and finished the regul...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
The economic region that includes Vernon saw a large jump in the unemployment rate last month.Statistics Canada said the Thompson-Okanagan had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent in March.That was more than a point from February's rate of 6.5 per cent, and up almost two points from the rate of 6.1 per cent ...
Apr 10, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Apr 10, 2026
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
Apr 10, 2026
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
Apr 10, 2026
No Public Risk
Death at the Winter Carnival office under investigation
Apr 10, 2026
Crime Prevention
Vernon RCMP urges people to "lock out auto crime"
Apr 09, 2026