OVERVIEW

A comprehensive emergency management program is based on the four‐pillar approach, the emergency management cycle.

1. MITIGATION
2. PREPAREDNESS
3. RESPONSE
4. RECOVERY

The District of Lillooet as a local government is require through the BC Emergency Program Act to maintain an Emergency Management Program. As many other local government do in BC, the District of Lillooet relies on local community volunteers to support the program. Through the Chief Administrative Officer an Emergency Program Coordinator and an Emergency Support Services Coordinator are appointed by council to oversee the Emergency Management Program.

Since 2015 the District of Lillooet’s Emergency Management Program has been working hard with local First Nations communities in the North Stl’atl’imx Territories and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to develop a Joint Emergency Planning Committee to explore ways we can work together and support one another in four pillars of emergency management. We are having great successes and we continue to learn and explore.

As of 2018 the District of Lillooet has join forces with the Canadian Red Cross which we feel will increase our capacity in the entire Lillooet area to manage for emergency events. To learn more about the Emergency Management Program or how to become a volunteer please take the time and look through our website.

EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE AND STAFF

An emergency operations center (EOC) is a central command and control facility responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness and emergency management, or disaster management functions at a strategic level during an emergency, and ensuring the continuity of operation of a company, political subdivision or other organization.

An EOC is responsible for strategic direction and operational decisions and does not normally directly control field assets, instead leaving tactical decisions to lower commands. The common functions of EOCs is to collect, gather and analyze data; make decisions that protect life and property, maintain continuity of the organization, within the scope of applicable laws; and disseminate those decisions to all concerned agencies and individuals.

The first most critical component of an EOC is the individuals who staff it. They must be properly trained, and have the proper authority to carry out actions that are necessary to respond to the disaster. They also must be capable of thinking outside the box, and creating a lot of “what if” scenarios. The local EOC’s function during an emergency is to support the incident commander.
As mentioned in the Overview, local governments rely on community volunteers to support the EOC. As part of our recruitment we provided training through the year to help build capacity and keep our volunteer’s skills sharp. We are looking for all types’ of people with experience and qualities in: Leadership, Public relations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please click on the “VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT” page and fill out an application. We want to hear from you.

EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES AND STAFF

The Emergency Support Services (ESS) program helps people affected by large emergencies, but may also assist during smaller emergencies such as house fires or disasters affecting a few members of a community.

When people are forced to evacuate their homes, the ESS program will often direct them to reception centres or group lodging facilities.

Reception Centres
A reception centre is a safe place where people can go to receive:

• Information about the emergency;
• Assistance meeting their basic needs, and
• Help planning their recovery from the disaster.

Centres are often located in community centres, recreation centres, churches or schools.

ESS is offered for up to 72 hours but it can be available for longer, depending on the emergency and the length of an evacuation order.

As mentioned in the Overview the District of Lillooet has now joined forces with the Canadian Red Cross which will now help manage our ESS program. Local governments rely on community volunteers to support the ESS program and as part of our recruitment we provided training through the year to help build capacity and keep our volunteer’s skills sharp. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please click on the “VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT” page and fill out an application. We want to hear from you.

• Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA)

If you are on an evacuation ALERT or ORDER, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency you can self-register for Emergency Support Services. Click on the “Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) on-line Self-Register link above. This link will take you to the provincial government’s website where you will click on the “Self-Register Now” button to register.

Emergency Preparedness

It’s important for you to be prepared and know what to do in an emergency or natural disaster. Being prepared can help you protect yourself and your loved ones. If an emergency happens, it may take emergency workers some time to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours. As an individual you need to learn how to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere.

Below we have links to various websites that will assist you in getting prepared.

Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

• 72hour preparedness

Emergency Preparedness
You can take many simple steps to be prepared for an emergency at home and at work. The PreparedBC website contain lots of information and guides on how to prepare yourself for an emergency. Please take the time and learn more.

• PreparedBC

Build an Emergency Kit
This link will take you to the PreparedBC website and provide you information on how to build your own Emergency Kit.

• Build an Emergency Kit

In the Event of an Emergency
For up-to-date information on emergency events in B.C., including advisories and emergency updates in your region, see:

• Emergency Info BC

Emergency Display Signs
This link will take you to a PreparedBC website where you can download a Help/OK sign (PDF) and display the appropriate side outward in your window during a disaster.

• HELP / OK signs

Volunteer Recruitment

Emergency Management Volunteer Application

To apply to become an Emergency Management volunteer click the link below. This link will take you to the webpage where you fill out an online form. When completed please don’t forget to click on the submit button at the button. We look forward to hearing from you.

• Emergency Management Volunteer Application Form

Emergency Support Services / Red Cross Application

• Red Cross Volunteer Application Form