Contact and Information

Earthquake and Tsunami Response Actions & Tsunami Alert Levels

  

EMBC Earthquake & Tsunami Smart Manual - A Guide for Protecting Your Family

E-Comm 911

The Regional District of Mount Waddington is reminding all backcountry users to check wildfire status in advance, monitor forecasted weather conditions, and do their due diligence to ensure they are adequately prepared for their trip prior to departure.

For more information about the status of wildfires in British Columbia please visit BC Wildfire Service website.

Report a wildfire:
1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cell

Fire information line: 1 888 336-7378

 

The Regional District of Mount Waddington supports and partakes in Emergency Preparedness Week. This national campaign is aimed to raise awareness about emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Learn what to do to to prepare and respond for an emergency event or natural disaster, whether you are at home, work or in the community. 

In the event of a major emergency or natural disaster event in your community, it may take local rescue and response teams some time to reach you. It is recommended that you be prepared to care for yourself and your family for a minumum of 72 hours. Learn how quick and easy it is to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere.

Steps to Emergency Preparedness & Emergency Planning Guide

From identifing the risks and potential hazards to your home, business, and community to learning how to create an emergency preparedness plan and build an emergency kit, the 3 Steps to Emergency Preparedness Brochure and the Your Emergency Guide are excellent resources to better help you plan and prepare! 

Know the Risks, Get Informed

There are several types of natural hazards that could impact communities and areas in the Regional District of Mount Waddington. Having an awareness of the risks and hazards specific to your region and community can better help you prepare for an emergency or natural disaster.

Do you know what hazards your community faces?

   Earthquakes

   Tsunamis

   Severe Weather

   Floods

   Landsides

   Wildfires

   Power Outages

Building an Emergency Kit

Not sure what to put in an emergency kit for your home or car? This quick guide can help determine the basic essential supplies to prepare for an emergency.Watch the following short video for more information to help you plan and prepare: Build an Emergency Kit

Basic Emergency Kit

• Water & water purifier – at least two litres of water per person per day
• Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods
• Manual can-opener
• Crank or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries).
• Battery-powered radio (and extra batteries) or Weatheradio
• First aid kit
• Extra keys to your car and house
• Small bills and change for payphones
• A copy of your emergency plan & contact information
• If applicable: medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, & food, water and medication for your pet or service animal (personalize according to your needs)

Recommended Additional Items

• Candles and matches or lighter (place candles in deep, sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
• Change of clothing and footwear per family member
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket
• Toiletries, toilet paper, & hand sanitizer
• Utensils
• Garbage bags
• Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife)
• A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
• Duct tape (to tape up windows, doors, air vents, etc.)

Making a Plan

Get prepared, make a home emergency plan! In 8 easy steps this emergency plan helps identify escape routes, establish a meeting place, plan for children, address health needs & special medical requirements, plan for pets, identify the risks and hazards specific to your community & region, gather local emergency service contact information, and complete safe home instructions for your residence. Make a Plan today!

Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities, Seniors, & Pets

Emergencies can be overwhelming and stressful. These types of situations can introduce additional challenges and may make some conditions worse for some people. The following guide from PreparedBC is an excellent resource for those with disabilities to plan accordingly for an emergency or natural disaster: PreparedBC Resource for People with Disabilities

There  additional ways to be ready to respond in the event of an emergency that are above and beyond the "basics" for emergency planning that some, such as seniors, may want to consider.  such as having a personal support network, getting an emergency kit and having it accessible, gathering additional supplies such as medications, glasses, and other specialized personal equipment. Visit the link for more further points of consideration: PreparedBC Preparedness for Seniors

During an emergency, your companion (pet) will be relying on you to care them until help is available. PreparedBC has a informative guide on things to consider when preparing to care for your pet following a natural disaster or emergency: PreparedBC Pet Prepardeness  

All links, resources, and general information compiled from PreparedBC & GetPrepared

North Island 9-1-1 Corporation is launching a public education campaign to help reduce accidental 9-1-1 phone calls. This campaign is aimed to raise awareness to residents about means to help reduce the number of accidental calls made to emergency services to prevent loss of time and resources

TIPS to Reducing Accidental 9-1-1 Calls

North Island 9-1-1 is asking residents to:

• Protect your cell phone by locking it and storing it carefully.
• Never give phones to children to play with or use as toys.
• Ensure 9-1-1 is not pre-programmed into mobile or landline phones.

Read more about the full campaign here: NI9-1-1_EducationCampaign

In preparation for natural disasters and community emergencies, the Regional District of Mount Waddington has prepared a responsive, emergency support and relief action plan. Read the full plan at the link below or view plans by community.

North Island Regional Emergency Plan (Full)

• Winter Harbour
• Holberg
• Coal Harbour
• Quatsino
• Malcolm Island
• Hyde Creek
• Woss

ABOUT THE NIREP

The Regional District and related municipalities subscribe to a generic approach to large emergency or disaster response.  Disasters are calamities that threaten or effect extraordinary loss of life and/or property.

This North Island Regional Emergency Plan is not intended to deal with day-to-day emergency situations handled by local emergency response agencies.  Most disasters will create demands that exceed the normal capacity of any one organization. The intent of this plan is to facilitate and coordinate response to and recovery from disaster by implementing common management strategies for both public service and private sector agencies. The tactics and strategies outlined are to be considered as guidelines. To meet unusual situations, the use of unconventional methods, tempered by sound judgement and past experience can be invaluable.

It is imperative that each agency and department responding have its own response plan that outlines their particular tasks within the framework of the Regional Plan and dovetails with the response activities of all.  Separate plans have been developed by the participating agencies and are available by contacting the Emergency Program Office.

The Plan provides for not only the electoral areas but also the municipalities within the region. Standardization, coordination and familiarization with planning strategies by all participants will ensure an effective response.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the Emergency Plan is to:

1.    Provide for the safety and health of all responders

2.    Save lives

3.    Reduce suffering

4.    Protect public health

5.    Protect government infrastructure

6.    Protect property

7.    Protect the environment and

8.    Reduce economic and social losses

LEVELS OF RESPONSE

The following are to be used as a guide when determining the level of response required for an incident. They include a description of the event, area affected, extent of the coordination and assistance needed.

Level 1 - Site Response (Readiness and Routine)  All ongoing routine response activities by Emergency Services Personnel (Police, Ambulance, Fire) on a daily basis.

Level 2 - Zone ECC Response (Local Emergency)  A situation confined to one location/jurisdiction that does not affect zone-wide services, population or traffic.

Level 3 - Regional ECC Response (Regional Emergency)  A situation affecting multiple-jurisdiction services, populations and geographic areas.

Level 4 - PREOC Response, Regional ECC (Major Disaster)  A region wide disaster that involves widespread damages in addition to the disruption of services. Requires a coordinated response of all-local governments, departments and outside agencies. A Regional ECC will activated to support on-scene activities. Local governments may declare a "Local State of Emergency".

Level 5 - PECC Response (Major Disaster)  A region-wide disaster that involves widespread damages in addition to disruption of services, requiring additional support and resources from Federal Government and/or other Provinces. A "Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre" will be activated and the Attorney General may declare a "State of Emergency".

LOCAL FIRESMART GUIDE TO GARDENING NOW AVAILABLE

(Click the image to view the full guide)

This guide and excerpt has been shared from the Strathcona Regional District:

"With COVID-19 keeping us closer to home this fall, and many people taking on home and garden improvements, a new FireSmart Guide to Gardening offers landscaping tips that can safeguard local homes.

Printed booklets are available in Campbell River at: Campbell River Garden Centre, Home Depot and Sticks and Stones Nursery.

This guide recommends a number of ways people can work with nature and the changing seasons to make their property fire resistant. The guide illustrates how incorporating fire-resistant plants in lush landscapes reduces the chance that embers from a wildfire will damage or destroy a home. These principles also incorporate best practices to support plants and reduce harm to wildlife.

The guide features graphic design and illustrations by School District 72 students Jennifer-Thorton Hughes and Bailey Bellosillo. Information has been developed to meet local building requirements and the specific climate conditions of northern Vancouver Island region thanks to BC Wildfire Service, Greenways Land Trust, FireSmart BC, School District 72, Strathcona Regional District and multiple departments within the City of Campbell River.

“With climate change, hotter, drier summers, and a greater risk for wildfires are a growing reality for our region,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “The Campbell River FireSmart Guide to Gardening is a handy, all-in-one source for the type of information people need to be proactive when it comes to reducing the chance of wildfire damage to their home.”

“An important component of reducing disaster risk is public awareness about how to prepare in advance. The more we can do to develop properties and landscapes with protective features in mind, the better chance we have of reducing risks,” adds fire chief Thomas Doherty. “Studies continually demonstrate that the homes that survive a wildfire exhibit many of the attributes recommended by FireSmart guidelines.”

For more information about FireSmart visit www.firesmartbc.ca

The project was funded by the Community Resiliency Investment grant and in-kind contributions from content contributors."

Contact:
Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator, Strathcona Regional District 
skoopman@srd.ca 
250-830-6702