UPDATE – It didn’t take long for the soldiers to begin their work in the Okanagan.
After arriving Thursday afternoon, 45 Canadian Forces personnel were on duty at 8:00 a.m. Friday in West Kelowna.
They’re working with forestry fire fighters and municipal crews installing flood mitigation measures along Okanagan lake in the Green Bay neighbourhood.
The soldiers will then move on to other flood prone areas.
The Canadian Armed Forces has deployed 300 members to support flood relief efforts in B.C.
Troops began arriving to the cadet training camp in Vernon from 3rd Canadian Division in Edmonton Thursday afternoon.
“CAF staff are working closely with provincial authorities to coordinate CAF support,” Department of National Defence spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier said. “The deployment of additional vehicles, equipment, and personnel is being further examined and coordinated with the Province.”
The deployment of troops was in response to a request made by B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth who toured the flood damaged areas of the province Sunday.
“The CAF will assist Provincial authorities with evacuations, help protect key assets from flood damage, and bolster sandbagging efforts,”Le Bouthillier said. “Coordination is underway to determine the capabilities, number of personnel, and locations where the CAF will deploy to best support the Province’s needs.”
An immediate Response Unit vanguard has been deployed to coordinate with local emergency management officials.
How long the troops will remain to assist in flood damaged areas has yet to be determined.
“The CAF will remain until the Province’s need for Federal assistance is satisfied,” he said.
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