| Emergency Preparedness |
The District of Barriere is supported by our local volunteer fire department and regional fire departments through mutual aid agreements, including support and guidance from the TNRD emergency services department, for planning, response and evaluation of our emergency response plan.
The following link provide up to date and immediate information regarding official regional and local risks and evacuation orders including evacuation status and an interactive map showing locations of notices and alerts:
Barriere Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan
The District of Barriere local EMP Emergency Management & Evacuation Plan is governed by Mayor & Council. The EMP is updated and reviewed annually. Municipal staff and members of Council receive training and practice on possible hazards that could affect the District, and or the Region. In the event of an emergency, Mayor and Council have the authority to send out an official evacuation order, in coordination with the TNRD emergency center, as well as declaring a state of emergency for supplemental provincial support and authority as required.
Household Preparedness
Each household is responsible for their own emergency planning and kits. Emergencies happen when we least expect please take some time to get yourself prepared and to help others in the event of an emergency and or an evacuation due to fires or floods. The following form will get you started on your personal plan.
Other Emergency Resources
Although this site will be updated with any local information during a major emergency, there are a number of other agencies that provide useful information both for preparedness and about emergency situations. Find links to their websites below:
- BC Wildfire Service (active fire information/fire bans)
- DriveBC (road conditions including closures)
- Air Quality Health Index (smoke levels health risks)
- Fire Smart (also through BC Wildfire)
- River Forecast Centre (freshet/flooding/snow pillow information)
- FortisBC (power outages, gas emergencies)
- BC Hydro (power outages)
- Interior Health (Health/Drinking Water Advisories)
Flooding Preparedness
Preparedness is key in any emergency, including for a flood. Ensure you have a 72 hour disaster preparedness kit and an evacuation plan in place to be ready in the event of a flood. Visit the Get Prepared before a flood webpage for additional tips on what to do before, during and after a flood. Property owners in flood prone and low-lying areas are responsible for protecting their own properties from possible flood damage. Equipping yourself with a flood plan and the tools needed in case of a flood can help prepare you.
We are pleased to announce that we have chosen the Voyent Alert! Notification Service to keep you informed during emergencies and times of crisis. Register now to receive any emergency notifications that apply to the District of Barriere. The service is FREE, easy to use, anonymous and takes less than a minute.
Mobile App Users:
Download and install the Voyent Alert! app from the Apple App or Google Play stores.
Email, Text or Voice Dial Users:
No mobile phone or access to internet? You can utilize access points either at a library, District administration services, or through a friend or family member.
Register for your account by selecting your region on a map and receive immediate emergency alerts
Register online to receive email, voice or text-based alerts:
Evacuation Procedures
**NOTE** - At present, the District of Barriere is NOT under Evacuation Order. Should that change, the process is as follows:
Ordering an evacuation of all or part of an emergency area is a very serious step and requires detailed planning. In BC, the Emergency Program Act permits the head of a local authority to declare a state of local emergency, which allows the local authority to order an evacuation should it be absolutely necessary. There are several other statutes (Fire Services Act, Forest and Range Practices Act, Public Health Act, Environmental Management Act, and the Mines Act) that can be used to order an evacuation.
Evacuation Process
Stage 1 - Evacuation Alert
Authorities will alert the population that is at risk of the potential for evacuation because of the danger of possible loss of life and that they should be prepared to evacuate the area. This warning will be transmitted by:
- door-to-door campaign
- radio and/or television broadcast
- sirens and mobile public address announcements
- telephone calls
- electronic media (website)
Stage 2 - Evacuation Order
All persons in the affected area will be ordered to leave the area immediately. The police will enforce the evacuation order.
Stage 3 - Rescind
An evacuation order or alert is rescinded when it is determined to be safe for residents to return home. An evacuation order may be reinstated if a threat returns.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) Online Registration
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) uses an online system to register evacuees. The online platform will include evacuee registration with a self-serve registration option to streamline processes for evacuated individuals to access services more easily and efficiently. The goal of the online platform is to reduce wait times for evacuees and processing time for volunteers.
Link for online evacuee registration: Emergency Support Services (ESS)