November 7, 2024

Cathy Semchuk

Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD)

Our guest speaker was Cathy Semchuk from the CSRD, who spoke to us about Emergency Preparedness. Tracy Graham, a volunteer with Emergency Support Services, came with Cathy and answered questions.

Cathy’s talk covered these topics:

• Shuswap Emergency Program

• Evacuation Process

• Bush Creek East Wildfire

• Emergency Support Services

• Personal and Neighbourhood Preparedness

The Shuswap Emergency Program (SEP) was developed after the 1998 Silver Creek Wildfire, with recognition that a plan needs to be in place before the event.

Evacuation types:  tactical (no notice – e.g. for a rainstorm, earthquake, or a drastic change in a fire like August 2023), evacuation alert and evacuation order.

Cathy told us in detail about what happened on August 18, 2023, and all the challenges SEP faced to get everyone evacuated.  There is a timeline for the response, which can be seen on the CSRD website.

Tools that came from 2023: Shuswap Emergency Program Dashboard, ability to view your property, Alertable App.  (Note:  the App has been greatly improved; it had to be implemented before they had planned.)  To download the app, go to: www.csrd.bc.ca/alertable

Emergency Support Services (ESS) – needed to be modernized

• ESS provides short-term assistance to those impacted (can be longer term)

• Legislation requires local authorities to plan for the “evacuation and care of individuals and animals.”

• Provincially funded program

• Volunteer based program managed by the local authority

• ESS training through the Justice Institute of BC – accredited courses.

BC Services Card App – you can link your profile to ESS; allows you to get e-transfers to support you while you’re on an evacuation order. Reminder that you need to update this App every 3 months; opening it will update it.

Volunteers are always needed for ESS – attracting younger more “tech savy” volunteeers, can give remote assistance, willing to adapt to change, true volunteers.

Personal Preparedness: make a plan for yourself and your pets.  Have a “grab & go” bag, gas up your car.

Important to leave when you are evacuated.  If you stay, you put lives of firefighters in danger.

Neighbourhood Emergency Plan – great idea to set this up in your neighbourhood!