Information and Resources
What to do in an emergency event
1. Activate your community Emergency Operations Centre
- This can be done by the community Chief or Councillor, Band Manager, Emergency Program Coordinator or whoever is indicated in the community's emergency management plan
- The community does NOT need to declare a state of local emergency
- Connect with your EPS Emergency Response Contacts: Dianne Garner, dianne.garner@emplans.ca, 604-798-4519 and Debbie Combes, debbie.combes, 604-997-0071
2. Contact the EMCR SWE PREOC to acquire a Task Number by calling 1-888-663-3456 or emailing preoc2.ops1@gov.bc.ca.
- A task number will enable your community to be compensated for resources spent on response
3. Identify your community's needs, including what can or cannot be funded by EMCR:
- Staffing, equipment, meals and supplies required to operate your community Emergency Operations Centre can be funded by EMCR
- Gather your emergency management plans, checklists, communications, equipment and supplies as needed - EMCR Resources and JIBC Emergency Management Resources have useful information
4. Ensure that you are on the Coordination Calls hosted by EMCR by contacting your local EMCR representative or emailing preoc2.ops1@gov.bc.ca
5. Keep informed and connected with agency services around the region:
1. Activate your community Emergency Operations Centre
- This can be done by the community Chief or Councillor, Band Manager, Emergency Program Coordinator or whoever is indicated in the community's emergency management plan
- The community does NOT need to declare a state of local emergency
- Connect with your EPS Emergency Response Contacts: Dianne Garner, dianne.garner@emplans.ca, 604-798-4519 and Debbie Combes, debbie.combes, 604-997-0071
2. Contact the EMCR SWE PREOC to acquire a Task Number by calling 1-888-663-3456 or emailing preoc2.ops1@gov.bc.ca.
- A task number will enable your community to be compensated for resources spent on response
3. Identify your community's needs, including what can or cannot be funded by EMCR:
- Staffing, equipment, meals and supplies required to operate your community Emergency Operations Centre can be funded by EMCR
- Gather your emergency management plans, checklists, communications, equipment and supplies as needed - EMCR Resources and JIBC Emergency Management Resources have useful information
4. Ensure that you are on the Coordination Calls hosted by EMCR by contacting your local EMCR representative or emailing preoc2.ops1@gov.bc.ca
5. Keep informed and connected with agency services around the region:
Emergency Planning Secretariat - Provides emergency services as requested by communities
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F.A.S.T. Emergency Planning Secretariat Portal
EPS has partnered with FAST (First Aid and Survival Technologies Ltd.) to provide specialized emergency management products branded with your community's logo, including: - ICS/EOC colour-coded identification vests - Community Reception Centre kit - Traffic Control Kit - And other custom products - or let us know what you'd like to equip your EM program and we'll look for it! |
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness BC - Leads coordination of the Province of BC's emergency management activities, including preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
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Prepared BC - Provides emergency preparedness information, social media packages, downloadable guides and fill-in-the-blank plans to help you prepare for emergencies.
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BC River Forecast Centre - Provides information on snow pack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in British Columbia’s rivers and streams. It produces a range of bulletins, maps and warnings to inform emergency managers and the public about current and upcoming streamflow conditions.
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First Nations Health Authority - Provides health, wellness and cultural sensitivity in emergency response, management and social support services, water quality testing, and can provide a variety of resources and services in an emergency.
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First Nations Emergency Support Services - Provincial support organization in emergency response, mitigation, preparation and planning
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BC Wildfire Service - Provides wildfire status update, fire response efforts, fire bans and restrictions
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DriveBC - Provides information on driving conditions and road closures
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Ebbwater Consulting - Provides flood risk assessment and hazard mapping services and solutions
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Kerr Wood Leidal Consulting Engineers - Provides flood risk assessment and hazard mapping services and solutions
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Northwest Hydraulic Consultants - Provides flood risk assessment and hazard mapping services and solutions
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Smart Shores Drone Services - Provides drone and GPS technology surveying and mapping for environmental assessments and data analysis
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Hummingbird Drone Operations - Provides drone and GPS technology surveying and mapping for environmental assessments and data analysis
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Reports


Auditor General Reports for Emergency Management in BC
Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia Independent Audit: Managing Climate Change Auditor General for Local Government: Emergency Management in BC - District of Mission Report Auditor General for Local Government: Emergency Management in BC - Fraser Valley Regional District Report |
Province of BC: Modernizing Emergency Management Legislation
Emergency Management B.C. (EMBC) is modernizing the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support more effective management of emergencies in B.C. by incorporating international best practices, including the United Nations (UN) Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (Sendai Framework); the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration); and the draft principles that guide the Province’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Emergency Program Act (1996) What We Heard Report What We Heard Summary Report Legislative Changes |
BC Flood Strategy with Ministry of Forests
Ministry of Forests (FOR) is working with Alderhill Planning Inc. on engagement with communities for the development of the BC Flood Strategy. Flood Strategy Engagement Website Your community can either fill out an online survey or prepare a written submission on the engagement website. Engagement closes on January 6, 2023. Then a What We Heard Report will be developed in summer 2023. From Flood Risk to Resilience in BC: An Intentions Paper Intentions Paper Summary The core themes of the new Strategy include understanding flood risk, strengthening flood risk governance, enhancing flood preparedness, response, and recovery, and investing in flood resilience. |
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Sendai Framework focuses on the adoption of measures which address the three dimensions of disaster risk: exposure to hazards, vulnerability and capacity, and hazard's characteristics) in order to prevent the creation of new risk, reduce existing risk and increase resilience. The Sendai Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. It is the outcome of stakeholder consultations initiated in March 2012 and inter-governmental negotiations held from July 2014 to March 2015, which were supported by the UNDRR upon the request of the UN General Assembly. |
United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
A comprehensive statement addressing the human rights of Indigenous peoples. The document emphasizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their self-determined development, in keeping with their own needs and aspirations.
A comprehensive statement addressing the human rights of Indigenous peoples. The document emphasizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their self-determined development, in keeping with their own needs and aspirations.
Lands Advisory Board Resource Centre
is dedicated to supporting First Nations communities in their efforts to re-establish control over their lands, natural resources and environment. |
Firesmart Canada
This national program provides information and training to promote awareness and education to reduce risk, loss of life and property from fire in the wildland urban interface, where wildlands and human development come together, for indiviuals, neighbourhoods and communities. Various programs are available including training to become a FireSmart representative, to develop fire resilient homes and properties, and become a recognized FireSmart community. |