In BC, local authorities are responsible for responding to emergencies within their jurisdictions. Local emergency programs are not “first” responders, however. Police, fire, and ambulance are responsible for immediate life safety issues.
Local emergency programs, like the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Emergency Program, and its counterparts in Whistler, Pemberton, and Squamish, are there to look after people during events that are outside of the day-to-day. Local emergency programs support first responders, and respond to large-scale events like floods, interface fires, and earthquakes – all with a view to helping the community as a whole cope with impacts and recover quickly.
SLRD Emergency Program
The SLRD Emergency Program works in the four electoral areas to lead and support emergency management activities in the Regional District. Working closely with member municipalities, and under the direction of the Electoral Area Directors Committee and Chief Administrative Officer, the SLRD Emergency Program prepares for, responds to, and helps communities recover from large-scale disasters and emergencies.
The SLRD has a full-time Emergency Program Director, and encourages personal and community preparedness amongst SLRD residents. If you require more information about the SLRD Emergency Program, or you are interested in volunteering, or receiving emergency management training, please contact the SLRD Emergency Program Manager:
Mark Phillips
Director of Protective Services
Telephone: (604) 698-6371 x263
Email: mphillips@slrd.bc.ca
After-hours Emergency Contact: 1-800-298-7753 (ask for the SLRD Emergency Program Director)
Lillooet Emergency Program
Contact: Lillooet Emergency Preparedness
Pemberton Emergency Program
The elected officials, management, staff, and volunteer groups from the Village of Pemberton Emergency Program support the cornerstones of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The Village, recognizing the need to guard against potential losses to life, property and the environment, has plans to maintain that support, while maintaining its own 'continuity of government.' The Village of Pemberton strives to work collaboratively with other emergency response agencies and stakeholders to build capacity and enhance community resilience.
Contact: Pemberton Emergency Program
Whistler Emergency Program
The Resort Municipality of Whistler's (RMOW) Emergency Program is responsible for coordinating procedures to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from large-scale emergencies. Emergency Program staff work in collaboration with local first response agencies (e.g. Whistler Fire Rescue Service and BC Ambulance), Emergency Management British Columbia, and other community organizations to develop and implement plans and programs to protect the community during major emergencies and disasters.
Volunteers are also crucial part of the Whistler Emergency Program:
- The Whistler Search and Rescue team searches for and provides aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.
- The Whistler Emergency Social Services team provides short-term shelter, food, clothing and emotional support to evacuees (generally for 72 hours).
- The Emergency Communications team provides a means for emergency communications via radio when phone lines, cell phones and other conventional means of communications fail.
Contacts: Whistler Emergency Program
Squamish Emergency Program (SEP)
The District of Squamish Emergency Program is the local authority for emergency management of incidents that affect the community of Squamish, whether it is localized such as a railway derailment, larger such as heavy rainfall and flooding, or a significant disaster such as an earthquake that affects the entire community. The District of Squamish Emergency Measures Bylaw provides authorities and directs the Emergency Operations Control Group during emergencies or disasters. The Community Emergency Plan guides District management and responders’ action to emergencies. The Squamish Emergency Program is made up of several components such as:
- Squamish Search and Rescue
- Squamish Marine Search and Rescue
- Emergency Social Service
- Emergency Radio Communications
Contact: Squamish Emergency Program