About the West Coast Emergency Planning
Committee
With the recent media focus on emergency planning and response on the west
coast we, the West Coast Emergency Planning committee, felt it was important
to keep local residents informed by providing regular updates and information.
This first report is an overview to help you identify who is involved in the
local emergency program, and how it is that we develop our emergency plans.
The
British Columbia Emergency Program Act requires that every community prepare
and develop emergency plans to alleviate or meet any emergency that might arise.
Ucluelet, Tofino, the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD), the local First
Nations including Ahousaht, Ucluelet, Tla-o-qui-aht, as well as the National
Park all have emergency programs in place. These are in a constant state of review
because of many factors including; changes in scientific information, social
awareness, member turn over, environmental changes, and public support and involvement
to name a few.
The positions in our emergency programs are largely staffed by
volunteers who invest a significant amount of time in training, exercises and
certification so that they can provide a professional service. Within the last
few years, the Emergency Coordinator positions in Ucluelet, Tofino, and ACRD
have been assigned as a part time task to a full time employee in a related field.
For example, in Tofino the Public Works Foreman (who is also the Fire Chief)
has been given 1 day/month out of his regular schedule to maintain the Emergency
Plan. In Ucluelet, the Bylaw Officer is given 1 day/week to work as the Acting
Emergency Coordinator. All other positions, both in and outside these communities,
are held by volunteers.
While each community works on the development and implementation
of its own plans, we also collaborate and coordinate with surrounding communities
through the West Coast Emergency Planning committee. This committee includes
Emergency Coordinators, Emergency Social Services Directors and local first responder
agency representatives from Ahousaht through to the Ucluelet First Nation as
well as the Pacific Rim National Park.
Our task is to ensure a united response
to disasters that could affect the region.
This committee also coordinates with experts to ensure that the best available
information is made available to the public. A good example of this is the recent
development of the 15 meter planning level for tsunamis. Competing input was
provided by a range of scientists and it was necessary to come up with a rational
and defensible recommendation. A meeting was held at Tin Wis and included Provincial,
Federal and university based scientists as well as emergency planning and response
personnel. The end result of this meeting was a consensus on the 15 meter level – higher
than the level initially recommended by the Natural Resources Canada and
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, but lower than the level suggested
by scientists involved in detailed run-up modeling simulations on the west coast
of the island. This was felt by all concerned to be appropriate for our situation.
Our
emergency planning is an all hazards approach which means we look at a wide range
of different events. We have recently focused on tsunami because we have limited
resources (we can’t do everything at once) and it is one of the
catastrophic events where there can be significant lead times in which we can
do something to save lives – evacuate people from hazard zones. We are
using the funds and public interest in tsunamis to improve our ability to respond
to all events. For example we are developing dedicated Emergency Operations Centers
in our communities, investigating coast wide communications systems and training
personnel to work in emergency operations centers.
If you are interested in providing support to your local emergency program,
there are a number of ways to do it. Volunteer your time, get yourself, your
family and your business prepared. Training is available and can accommodate
those who are interested in assisting in an emergency with a variety of roles
and time commitments. Voice your ideas, issues and questions to the emergency
program team and Mayor and Council, and Stay tuned for more information in regards
to the actions, direction and goals of our emergency programs.
Our emergency programs
are not someone else’s responsibility, it’s
everyone’s - so do your part now. With your support, we will continue
to improve and implement the best emergency procedures for a safer community
for all of us.
West Coast Emergency Planning Committee
Tofino, Ucluelet, West Coast Emergency
Preparations
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