Emergency Preparedness

The area has no cell service, though Telus has posted a notice saying it “will continue to invest to bring you the latest connectivity, including our next-generation 5G network.” Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Safety options floated in wake of B.C. highway’s payphone closures

Highway part of Vancouver Island trunk radio system, cell service is spotty

  • May 17, 2024

 

Emergency Minister Bowinn Ma Thursday warned of increased wildfire activity as temperatures are set to rise this weekend. (News Bulletin file photo)

B.C. prepares for wildfires as forecasts call for hot weather amid drought

Provincial officials are warning of increased wildfire activity, especially in northeastern B.C.

 

The pay phone at Roberts Lake Resort will be unplugged in coming days. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Lonely stretch of B.C. highway mourns final call for its last pay phone

Residents concerned about emergency coverage on Vancouver Island between Campbell River and Sayward

  • May 8, 2024

 

British Columbia’s government is seeking public input on how it helps disaster evacuees, in the wake of the province’s worst wildfire season on record. Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New portal expected to help B.C. evacuees find accommodations faster

System launching in June will provide emergency staff with live information on room availability

British Columbia’s government is seeking public input on how it helps disaster evacuees, in the wake of the province’s worst wildfire season on record. Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Large parts of Merritt flooded in November 2021. Mayor Michael Goetz welcomes B.C.’s new flood strategy, but says senior spheres of government need to do more to help protect the community through dikes among other measures. (Contributed)

B.C.’s flood strategy not ‘perfect’ but a ‘pretty good’ start: insurance analyst

Merritt Mayor says strategy helps cities “sleep better at night” but more diking is needed

Large parts of Merritt flooded in November 2021. Mayor Michael Goetz welcomes B.C.’s new flood strategy, but says senior spheres of government need to do more to help protect the community through dikes among other measures. (Contributed)
Todd Schierling, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, holds up a personal protective gear at a news conference in Victoria. His organization has praised a private member’s bill from BC Green House Leader Adam Olsen that would phase out ‘forever chemicals’ found in personal protective gear and foam. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

BC Greens table law to douse ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting gear

BC Green Adam Olsen says uniform provincial standards especially important for rural departments

Todd Schierling, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, holds up a personal protective gear at a news conference in Victoria. His organization has praised a private member’s bill from BC Green House Leader Adam Olsen that would phase out ‘forever chemicals’ found in personal protective gear and foam. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The federal government needs a national emergency response agency but hasn’t yet decided exactly what it will look like, Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan said. Small spot fires continued to flare up alongside Northwest Territories highways leading into Hay River, Fort Smith and Yellowknife, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

Canada’s national emergency response program could see changes in 2024

Canada one of the few G7 countries without a national emergency co-ordinating agency

The federal government needs a national emergency response agency but hasn’t yet decided exactly what it will look like, Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan said. Small spot fires continued to flare up alongside Northwest Territories highways leading into Hay River, Fort Smith and Yellowknife, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden
New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. passes new legislation aimed at preparing for and mitigating emergencies

New Democrats, Greens vote in favour of Bill 31, BC United, Conservatives against it

New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)
Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad, here seen in Vernon, says he is disturbed by the incorporation of UN guidelines into new emergency management legislation. (Black Press Media file now)

B.C. Conservative leader questions UN influence on new emergency legislation

John Rustad questions incorporation of UN guidelines in new emergency management legislation

Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad, here seen in Vernon, says he is disturbed by the incorporation of UN guidelines into new emergency management legislation. (Black Press Media file now)
New emergency management legislation tabled by the provincial government to deal with emergencies like the 2023 wildfires is receiving a range of reviews. (CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)

B.C.’s new emergency management legislation getting muted support

Opposition voices praise inclusion of First Nations, but question use of regulation

New emergency management legislation tabled by the provincial government to deal with emergencies like the 2023 wildfires is receiving a range of reviews. (CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)
Emergency Minister Bowinn Ma said the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act tabled Tuesday recognizes all phases of emergency management. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. adopts new definition of emergency in the face of a changing world

Expanded legislation recognizes climate change, First Nations’ rights around emergency management

Emergency Minister Bowinn Ma said the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act tabled Tuesday recognizes all phases of emergency management. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)

Decriminalization, climate change and housing top issues at UBCM conference

New UBCM prez says organization is ready to work with province

Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)
Next Generation 9-1-1 will allow users to text emergencies in promising to revolutionize emergency dispatching. But it will also generate additional costs and UBCM delegates are calling on the province to introduce a call-answer levy on cellphones to help generate the necessary revenues. (Black Press Media file photo)

Next Generation 9-1-1 promises B.C. emergency dispatching revolution

E-Comm compares incoming emergency response system to replacing rotary phones with smart phones

Next Generation 9-1-1 will allow users to text emergencies in promising to revolutionize emergency dispatching. But it will also generate additional costs and UBCM delegates are calling on the province to introduce a call-answer levy on cellphones to help generate the necessary revenues. (Black Press Media file photo)
The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the Bear Creek area of West Kelowna. There is very little left for residents to salvage. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Resources, warnings accompany people home in aftermath of B.C. wildfires

Officials working to prepare and protect those returning after West Kelowna wildfire

The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the Bear Creek area of West Kelowna. There is very little left for residents to salvage. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
Ashley Davidoff, a public education officer with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness . (Supplied photo)

PODCAST: Are you prepared for a wildfire, heat dome or flood emergency?

TODAY IN B.C.: Ashley Davidoff talks emergency plans and ‘grab-and-go’ bags

Ashley Davidoff, a public education officer with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness . (Supplied photo)
Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, says the growing frequency of natural disasters like wildfires requires new forms of government assistance for business. (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. Chamber CEO calls for urgent reforms to disaster assistance programs

Plans for helping businesses following natural disasters ‘developed for a different time’

Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, says the growing frequency of natural disasters like wildfires requires new forms of government assistance for business. (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
The Donnie Creek Wildfire in the northeastern corner of B.C. is among 86 wildfires burning in the province. (The Canadian Press/BC Wildfire Service)

Despite rain, B.C. remains in a ‘tricky’ spot as wildfires continue across province

Authorities welcome rain, but fear it won’t change dynamics of wildfire season

The Donnie Creek Wildfire in the northeastern corner of B.C. is among 86 wildfires burning in the province. (The Canadian Press/BC Wildfire Service)
Fire crews from all three Saanich Peninsula fire departments responded to this North Saanich residence on Carswell Avenue in 2022. Various offices including BC Coroners Service later investigated a fire-related fatality not considered suspicious. The latest report from provincial fire commissioner Brian Godlonton listed 86 fire-related deaths in B.C. in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo).

Fire-related deaths in B.C. up 207% since 2018, according to latest data

Brian Godlonton says causes include aging demographics and rising homelesness among factors

Fire crews from all three Saanich Peninsula fire departments responded to this North Saanich residence on Carswell Avenue in 2022. Various offices including BC Coroners Service later investigated a fire-related fatality not considered suspicious. The latest report from provincial fire commissioner Brian Godlonton listed 86 fire-related deaths in B.C. in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo).
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Cameron River wildfire (G80175) located approximately 74 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. As shown in this recent handout image. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)

Summer-like B.C. already at ‘core fire season’ in parts of the province

Head of BC Wildfire Service expects fire hazard to spread from the north to southern regions

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Cameron River wildfire (G80175) located approximately 74 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. As shown in this recent handout image. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)
Vancouver has “a high risk” of experiencing a large earthquake in the next 25 years, according to a new federal report that finds widespread gaps in Canada’s ability to respond to earthquakes. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Province acknowledges more needs to be done to prepare B.C. for earthquakes

Federal report finds gaps in capabilities and pegs cost of 9.0 magnitude tremor at $75 billion

Vancouver has “a high risk” of experiencing a large earthquake in the next 25 years, according to a new federal report that finds widespread gaps in Canada’s ability to respond to earthquakes. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)