PRRD Emergency Updates
Filter By:
RSS feed items will appear here.
Emergency Services
Main911 ServicesFire ProtectionGet PreparedCharlie Lake Fire DepartmentMoberly Lake Fire DepartmentVolunteer Emergency ServicesFire Department DirectoryEmergency ContactsFAQsResources
911 Services
*In the event of an emergency, dial 911
911 Emergency Call Answer Service
The PRRD contracts ECOMM 911, which provides enhanced 9-1-1 Emergency Services to all municipalities and electoral areas of the Regional District. Personnel at the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) determine the nature of the emergency and transfer the caller to the appropriate response agency – police, fire or ambulance.
The North Island 9-1-1 Emergency Services (NI911) also includes fire/rescue radio dispatch for eleven fire departments throughout our region.
911 Civic Addressing
If you have built a new home or business in the rural areas of the Peace River Regional District, apply for a 911 house number. All emergency response agencies (police, ambulance and fire) are provided with maps, and the telephone companies are provided with the 9-1-1 house address which is linked to their phone number data in order to provide emergency call services.
The 911 house numbering service is provided to residents by the PRRD, and consists of a system of rural house numbering and mapping to support the regional 91-1 Emergency Call service. The data is held in a GIS system that identifies the house location, road network, and parcel information.
Apply for a 911 House Number
Fill out the application and include a sketch showing the location of the house and driveway on the property to a Regional District office. Provide measurements of both the house and the driveway with respect to the property boundaries. You may also use our Interactive Webmap to create your map.
Submit Application Process
- by e-mail to: prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca
- by fax to: [250] 784-3201
- in person at Dawson Creek or Fort St. John office
- by mail to Peace River Regional District, Box 810, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8
Landowner Consent
If you are not the Landowner on Title, please have the current Landowner fill in the 911 Civic Address Landowner Consent Form below, and submit this form with your application.
Civic Address Signage
The PRRD does not provide house number signs. The cost to purchase and install the house number sign is the homeowner’s responsibility. For tips on posting signage download the guideline below.
Fire Protection
Fire Danger Rating
Open Fire Bans & Restrictions
Interactive Wildfire Map
Report a wildfire: (800) 663-5555 or *5555 on a cell
Fire information line: (888) 336-7378
Burn registration line: (888) 797-1717
PRRD Fire Protection Areas
To find out if your home or business is within a rural fire protection enter your civic address above.
Process to Request Inclusion into an Established Fire Protection Area
- Residents make request in writing to the Peace River Regional District expressing their desire to be included in the fire protection service area. This letter should include legal descriptions or civic addresses of properties requesting fire protection service, how many properties are interested in the service and contact information for the property owners where available.
- Upon receiving the request from the property owners, the Peace River Regional District will develop a map showing the property locations and the current fire protection service area. This information will then be provided to the applicable Fire Department with the request to check the location, travel distances, routing corridors and other requirements to meet fire response standards. This step is key, if the response standards cannot be met, the Regional District and Fire Department cannot provide the service. The city/fire protection service provider may request further analysis and study before making this decision.
- If fire response standards can be met the Regional District will then make a request to the applicable city or fire protection service provider to determine if they are willing to provide the service and at what potential cost to the taxpayers.
- Depending on the size of the area for inclusion and if the city and/or fire protection service provider is willing to provide the service, the Regional District may hold public meetings to provide information (e.g., estimated tax rates, service level) to the residents seeking inclusion or this information may be provided by mail. This will depend on the size of the request for boundary expansion (i.e., 2 properties vs 50)
- If property owners agree then the Regional District will amend both the Fire Protection Service Area Establishment Bylaw and the Fire Protection Service Agreement with the fire protection service provider.
- The Regional District will then notify the BC Surveyor of Taxes, and fire protection charges will start being applied to tax notices of those new properties added to the Fire Protection Area. The 911 service provider will also be updated so that these new properties will receive fire response when it is requested.
Note that this process can take 12+ months to complete.
Before you Burn
The PRRD does not have a burning bylaw or issue any burning permits. Please contact the Wildfire Management Branch for a burn reference number (information below):
Before you burn ALL residents and businesses in the rural areas of the Peace River Regional District must:
- Check for fire prohibitions set by the Wildfire Management Branch: Forest Service officials notify the public of burning prohibitions through information bulletins to local media outlets, the BC Forest Fire Info Facebook page, and through their website at bcwildfire.ca. The Peace River Regional District defaults to the Provincial Wildfire Management Plan in the rural areas with the Wildfire Act and Regulation applying on public (Crown) land, provincial parks and private land everywhere in B.C.
- Get a burn reference number from the Wildfire Management Branch: If open burning is allowed in your area and you are planning to burn anything larger than a typical backyard burn pile (3 meters wide x 2 meters high) or burn stubble or grass on an area more than 0.2 hectares (20 m X 20 m), you must get a burn registration number first.
- Open Burning Regulations 2022
- To obtain a burn reference number, call toll free to 1-888-797-1717.
- Check the venting index to see if burning is allowed based on environmental conditions.
| If you live or work within the Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, Taylor, Chetwynd, Fort St John, Charlie Lake, Tomslake, Moberly Lake or Arras rural fire protection areas please contact the applicable fire department before you burn. You must follow all requirements of the BC Wildfire Service and it is recommended that you follow any recommendations of your local fire department, as they can provide you with important tips and advice on how to safely conduct burning on your property. |  |
Get Prepared
In the Province of British Columbia regional districts and municipalities are required to plan and respond to emergencies in their area. In the Peace River Regional District each of the municipalities are responsible for their own emergency planning, while the Peace River Regional District conducts emergency planning for the unincorporated rural areas (Area B, C, D, and E). Emergencies are unpredictable, and being prepared for ourselves and our families may reduce the impact of the emergency.
Guides
Household Emergency Preparedness Guide
Household Emergency Plan
Resource for People with Disabilities
Prepare Your Pets Guide
Wildfire Preparedness Guide
Last-Minute Evacuation List
Emergency Planning 101
Just like most people have home or car insurance, EVERY household should have a plan in place for when an emergency occurs. Households should be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. During an emergency, help may not be able to get to you right away as the demand for emergency services increases. It may take emergency workers some time to get to you as they help those in most critical need, so everyone needs to plan to manage on their own for a period of time, and having an emergency kit will help you do just that. Sometimes you may be asked to leave your home immediately, and that’s where the grab-and-go bag can help you. Emergency Management BC recommends that individuals be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hrs. Below are examples of emergency kits you should have prepared.
Preparing an Emergency Kit:
Put supplies in one or two containers, such as plastic bins or duffel bags. Store them in an area of your home that’s easy to get to, such as a hall closet, spare room, or garage.
- Non-perishable food: minimum three-day to one-week supply, with a manual can opener
- Water: four liters per person, per day for drinking and sanitation
- Phone charger, power bank, or inverter
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
- Extra batteries
- First-aid kit and medications
- Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Copy of your emergency plan
- Copies of important documents, such as insurance papers and identification
- Cash in small bills
- Garbage bags and moist towelettes for personal sanitation
- Seasonal clothing, sturdy footwear and emergency blanket
- Dust masks
- Whistle
- Help/OK Sign (PDF): Display the appropriate side outward in your window during a disaster.
Preparing a Grab-and-Go kit:
A grab-and-go bag is a small emergency kit that’s easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. It’s a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace, and vehicle.
- Food (ready to eat, that won’t go bad) and water
- Phone charger and battery bank
- Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Small first-aid kit and personal medications
- Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Copy of your emergency plan
- Copies of important documents, such as insurance papers and identification
- Cash in small bills
- Local map with your family meeting place identified
- Seasonal clothing and an emergency blanket
- Pen and notepad
- Whistle
Community Preparedness Program
Good planning is the key to success in many things in life, and being ready to care for ourselves and our families following an emergency is one area where planning can make a life-altering difference.
Community Preparedness Planning Process
- Understand the size of your community its demographics and specific concerns
- Identify hazards, their potential effects and impacts to the community
- Encourage community residents to become personally prepared
- Encourage neighbors to participate in the development of a community response plan
- Identify community resources
- Encourage training and exercising as a community team
- Encourage the community to work together and establish a network with adjacent communities, other organizations and the community at large
To find out more, contact the Regional District at 250 784-3200.
Charlie Lake Fire Department
Photo by Lana Hamilton Photography
The Charlie Lake Fire Department (CLFD) is run by the Peace River Regional District. This department has a full-time fire chief and deputy chief and about 30 volunteer firefighters. The fire hall is located just off the Alaska Highway in Charlie Lake.
The department responds to around one hundred 911 calls per year and protects an area of about 125 square km and approximately 3,700 residents. Full-time staff are at the hall 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Recruitment
The CLFD actively recruits for volunteers every year. If you live within a 15-minute drive of Charlie Lake and are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to serve your community, you can become a firefighter. To learn more about joining the CLFD, review the New Recruit Guide below and register for a Have Your Say account to receive updates.
Contact
13065 Firehall Rd
Charlie Lake, BC V0C 1H0
Edward Albury, Fire Chief
Jessy Horsfield, Deputy Fire Chief
Services & Response Vehicles
The CLFD has nine response vehicles and provides support for fire suppression, fire prevention, wildland fires and hazardous materials incidents
Moberly Lake Fire Department
The Moberly Lake Volunteer Fire Department Society (MLVFD) was formed in 1982. Members of Moberly Lake’s early families founded the Society after suffering several fire losses. In 1996, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) established two local service areas in Moberly Lake to provide funding to the Moberly Lake Volunteer Fire Department Society for fire protection services.
From 2019 to 2021, the Society and the PRRD investigated the transition of the department to a PRRD administered and managed fire service. As of January 2022, the Peace River Regional District operates the MLVFD; this enables the volunteers to focus on training, recruitment and response.
The MLVFD serves approximately 700 residents, including our First Nations neighbors; Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations.
Recruitment
The Moberly Lake Volunteer Fire Department is actively recruiting. If you are located within the Moberly Lake Fire Protection Area and a 15 kilometer drive of the Moberly Lake fire hall, and are looking to answer the call to serve your community, we want to hear from you! To learn more about joining the MLVFD, review the New Recruit Guide below and register for a Have Your Say account to receive updates.
Response Vehicles
The Moberly Lake Volunteer Fire Department has:
- Two engines (4×4) – 1994 & 2010
- One tender – 2010
- One command unit
Contact
6492 Lakeshore Dr.
Moberly Lake, BC V0C 1X0
Hall: [250] 788-2611
Cell: [250] 219-8245
Matthew Earl, Deputy Fire Chief
Volunteer Emergency Services
Search & Rescue
When requested, volunteer Search and Rescue teams are available to support Ground Search and Rescue activities throughout the Peace Region. All members receive search training with some trained in specialized disciplines including Rope Rescue, Tracking, Swiftwater and Ice Rescue, and Helicopter External Transportation System (HETS).
South Peace Search & Rescue
Practices: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, every Thursday
Contact: Rick Loucks, President [250] 219-9891
Website: https://www.southpeacesar.com
North Peace Search & Rescue
Regular Practices: 7:00 – 9:00 pm on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
Rope Practices: 7:00 to 9:00 pm 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month
Contact: Brian Lamond, Search Manager/President [250] 793-0761 or contact@npsar.ca
Website: https://www.npsar.ca/Chetwynd Search & Rescue
Practices: 7:00 to 9:00 pm on designated Wednesdays
Contact: Don Wheeler, Search Manager
For more information: Tel: [250] 788-3211 (SAR Hall) or [250] 788-9138 (Don Wheeler) or chetwyndsar@gmail.comTumbler Ridge Search & Rescue Society
Practices: 7:00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month
Contact: Gerald Noksana, President
For more information: tumblerridgesar@gmail.com
Emergency Support Services
Emergency Support Services (ESS) provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. This assistance includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification.
Chetwynd ESS
Contact and Volunteer Info:
Deanne Ennis, [250] 719-6126 or DEnnis@gochetwynd.comDawson Creek ESS
Contact and Volunteer Info:
Erin Oliver, [250] 784-3633 or eoliver@dawsoncreek.ca
Anna Eichelberger, [250] 784-3699 or aeichelberger@dawsoncreek.caFort St. John ESS
Contact and Volunteer Info:
Kylah Bryde, [250] 794-3314 or kbryde@fortstjohn.caHudson’s Hope ESS
Contact and Volunteer Info:
Fred Burrows, [250] 783-9901 or fred@hudsonshope.caTaylor ESS
Contact and Volunteer Info:
Heather Schroeder, [250] 263-1672 or hschroeder02@gmail.comTumbler Ridge ESS
Contact and Volunteer Info:
Dustin Curry, [250] 242-3939 or trfire@dtr.ca
Fire Protection
For information on volunteer firefighting, check our Fire Protection page.
Fire Department Directory
BC Wildfire Management Branch
Prince George Fire Centre covers the central and northeast (which includes the PRRD) portion of the Province.
Report a wildfire: 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cell
Fire information line: 1 888 336-7378
Burn registration line: 1 888 797-1717
Website: bcwildfire.ca
Arras Volunteer Fire Brigade
A registered non-profit society, the Arras Volunteer Fire Brigade serves prescribed areas within Arras and Farmington. The Arras Fire Brigade is an independent fire service.
Contact: Fire Chief Rob Park
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 784-5730
Charlie Lake Fire Department
The Charlie Lake Fire Department, operated by the Peace River Regional District, serves prescribed areas within the Charlie Lake area. The department is staffed with a Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and 30+ dedicated volunteer firefighters. To learn more about the Department go to their web page.
Contact: Fire Chief Edward Albury
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 785-1424 or Edward.Albury@prrd.bc.ca
Chetwynd Fire Department
The Chetwynd Fire Department responds to fires within the District of Chetwynd the rural fire protection area around the District as well as responding to motor vehicle incidents in the West Peace.
The Chetwynd Fire Department consists of 30 active volunteers. Equipment used by the department is a pumper truck, ladder truck, initial response vehicle, and a rescue vehicle.
Contact: Fire Chief Dan Golob
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 788-2424 or dgolob@gochetwynd.com
Dawson Creek Fire Department
The Dawson Creek Fire Department provides fire fighting and rescue services to the City of Dawson Creek, Dawson Creek Airport and rural fire protection area around the City. The Fire Department also provides motor vehicle extrication anywhere requested by the RCMP or Ambulance Service.
The Department is staffed by a Fire Chief, a Deputy Fire Chief, a Fire Prevention Officer, 16 Full-Time Fire Fighters and 12 Auxiliary Volunteer Fire Fighters.
Contact: Interim Fire Chief Todd Pickett
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 782-3646 or tpickett@dawsoncreek.ca
Fort St John Fire Rescue
Operated by the City of Fort St John, the Fort St. John Fire Rescue provides 18,000 residents with fire suppression, rescue services, first responder medical calls, building inspections, and prevention and education programs.
The Department’s 19 full-time employees and 13 volunteer firefighters provide these services to the City of Fort St John as well as a rural fire protection area around the City.
Contact: Fire Chief Robert Norton
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 787-8000 or rnorton@fortstjohn.ca
Hudson’s Hope Fire Department
The Hudson’s Hope Fire Department is a volunteer firefighting force of 25 members under the direction of a full-time Fire Chief, who operates out of two fire halls with two fire fighting apparatuses each. The department provides Fire Suppression, Public Education, Fire Prevention, and Inspection Services to the residents and visitors of Hudson’s Hope and vehicle extrication services to the District and surrounding area.
Contact: Fire Chief Fred Burrows
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 783-9901 or fred@hudsonshope.ca
Moberly Lake Volunteer Fire Department
The Moberly Lake Volunteer Fire Department, operated by the Peace River Regional District, serves the Moberly Lake area in addition to the West Moberly First Nation and Saulteau First Nation. The department consists of volunteer firefighters including a Fire Chief. To learn more about the Department go to their web page.
Contact: Fire Chief Mike Haggstrom
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 219-8245 or Mike.Haggstrom@prrd.bc.ca
Pouce Coupe Fire Department
The Pouce Coupe Volunteer Fire Department consists of a Fire Chief and 17 active volunteers. With 2 pumpers and 1 tanker, the Department responds to emergencies within the Village and fires in the rural fire protection area surrounding the municipality.
Contact: Fire Chief Blair Deveau [250] 219-9205
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 786-5794 or firechief@poucecoupe.ca
Taylor Fire Department
The Taylor Fire Department consists of the Fire Chief, 20 volunteer firefighters, and one junior firefighter. The department has the following apparatus: 1 Triple Combination Engine, 1 Pumper/Tanker, 1 Rescue Truck, a Crash Rescue Truck, and a Command Vehicle. The Department responds to emergencies within the District and fires in the rural fire protection area surrounding the municipality (both north and south of the Peace River).
Contact: Fire Chief Steve Byford
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 789-3392 or SByford@districtoftaylor.com
Tomslake & District Volunteer Fire Department
A registered non-profit society, the Tomslake & District Fire Department serves prescribed areas within Tomslake under contract with the Peace River Regional District. The department consists of volunteer firefighters including a volunteer Fire Chief and a volunteer Deputy Fire Chief.
Contact: Fire Chief George Giersch
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 786-5330 or ggiersch@pris.ca
Tumbler Ridge Fire Department
The Tumbler Ridge Fire Department is a dedicated group of 15 volunteers and the Fire Chief, who’ve spent a great deal of time training and donating their time to community events.
Contact: Fire Chief Dustin Curry
For more information or to volunteer: Tel: [250] 242-3939 or trfire@dtr.ca
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Only: RCMP/Ambulance/Fire |
||
|---|---|---|
| Phone # | Notes | |
| RCMP | 911 | Available to all residents |
| BC Ambulance Service | 911 | Available to all residents |
| Fire Departments | 911 | Available to residents inside fire protection areas |
Emergency Reporting, Management & Support |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| Emergency Management BC | 1-800-663-3456 | to report an emergency (floods, forest fires, earthquakes,etc.) |
| Emergency Support Services | 250-784-3200 | Short-term emergency assistance for people who are forced to leave their homes |
| Child Find BC | Call 911 if a child is missing 888-689-3463 |
delivers services to families whose children go missing unexpectedly |
Weather and Avalanche Information |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| Environment Canada | for current weather information | |
| Canadian Avalanche Association | 1-800-667-1105 for bulletins
250-837-2141 general information |
not for profit organization dedicated to public avalanche safety that coordinates public avalanche safety programs |
Health Concerns |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| Poison Control Center | 1-800-567-8911 | Poisoning first aid and treatment advice |
| BC Nurse Line | 811 | 24-hour, confidential health information & advice |
| Northern Health Authority (non-emergency) | 250-565-2649 | Prince George Corporate Office |
Roads |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| Highway Rescue | 911 | |
| Provincial Highways Condition Center | 604-660-9770 | |
| DriveBC | Road Reports | |
| Argo Road Maintenance | 1-800-663-7623 | Local road maintenance contractor – South Peace |
| Dawson Road Maintenance | 1-800-842-4122 | Local road maintenance contractor – North Peace |
Wildfire & Environmental Concerns |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| BC Wildfire Management Branch | 1-800-663-5555, *5555 on your cell |
Report a forest fire in BC |
| BC Wildfire Management Branch | 1-888-336-7378 | Fire information line (updates on fires, bans, and restrictions) |
Oil & Gas Information and Concerns |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| BC Oil & Gas Commission | 250-794-5200 FSJ 250-795-2140 DC |
BC’s oil and gas industry regulator |
| Oil & Gas Incident Reporting | 1-800-663-3456 | 24-hour incident reporting line for oil and gas emergencies |
| National Energy Board | Federal petroleum regulator | |
| Pacific Northern Gas | 1-800-663-1173 | Natural gas provider |
| Terasen Gas | 1-800-663-9911 | Natural gas provider |
Other Utilities |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| BC Hydro | 1-800-POWER-ON (1-800-224-9376) |
Hydro problems |
| BC One Call – Call Before You Dig! | 1-800-474-6886 | To determine underground hazards |
School Districts |
||
| Phone # | Notes | |
| Peace River South (SD59) | 250-782-8571 | Public Schools |
| Peace River North (SD60) | 250-262-6000 | Public Schools |
Other Volunteer Emergency Services |
||
| BC Search & Rescue | ||
| Civil Air Search & Rescue | ||
| Amateur Radio | ||
| Provincial Radio Communications Service | ||
| Red Cross | ||
FAQs
What do I do if an emergency event happens in my area?
Depending on the event, you should call one of the following phone numbers:
- Dial 911 for emergencies such as Fire, Police, Ambulance, or Oil & Gas
- 1- 800-663-5555 or * 5555 from a cellular phone to report a forest, brush, or grass fire
- 1-800-663-3456 Emergency Management BC for other emergencies, such as train derailments, hazardous goods spills, plane crashes, flooding
- 1-800-663-WILD (9453) BC Conservation Officer to report encounters with wild animals
Will someone from the PRRD respond to the emergency and take appropriate action?
The PRRD program does not coordinate or facilitate the emergency response activities of firefighters, police, ambulance, or other first responders. The program is designed to assist these agencies in responding to emergencies by coordinating additional resources, equipment, and manpower once the incident commander either exhausts local resources or determines that the magnitude of the event requires additional resources. The PRRD will also become directly involved in liaison with other agencies, coordinating evacuations, providing emergency social services, releasing information to the media, and long term planning and logistics for large scale events.
How will the PRRD coordinate all of these activities?
The PRRD will activate the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) which is located in the main PRRD office in Dawson Creek. Using the BC Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS), staff will be brought into the EOC to coordinate key functions such as EOC Director, Liaison Officer, Public Information Officer, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. Lines of communication will be maintained with the incident commander and resources will be allocated as required.
When the PRRD-EOC is activated, the Province will also activate the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre (PREOC) in Prince George to provide technical assistance and additional resources to the PRRD as required.
What type of emergency events could occur in the PRRD?
in 2014, a Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis was completed by the Protective Services Department which identified seven (7) high-risk hazards for this area:
- Severe Cold Weather Power Outages
- Flooding;
- Forest/Interface Fires;
- Hazardous Material Spills or Explosions;
- Oil & Gas Incidents (facility, pipeline, gas leak);
- Water Storage Facility Failure
- Animal Disease
When would an evacuation be ordered and by whom?
When rural residents are at risk due to fire, flood, or TDG (to name a few) an evacuation order could be ordered by:
- The Board of Directors of the PRRD, after declaring a State of Local Emergency.
- The Fire Commissioner, for either tactical or safety reasons or due to the threat of explosion.
- The Ministry of Health or the local Health Authority.
- The Province of BC, after declaring a Provincial State of Emergency.
How much advanced notice of an evacuation would I receive and do I have to leave my property?
An evacuation order may or may not be preceded by an evacuation alert, depending on the event and how much time is available to clear the affected area. It is preferable to first issue an alert so people can prepare, but this is not always possible. Once an evacuation has been ordered, you must leave your property as the order will be enforced by the RCMP. To ensure personal and family emergency preparedness, check our Get Prepared page on our website.
What kind of assistance is available for people who have been evacuated?
There are two organizations that provide for the immediate needs of evacuees:
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
ESS is a provincial emergency response system that provides services to preserve the well-being of people affected by an emergency or disaster. ESS volunteers play an important role during emergencies in the PRRD by:
- Helping people to remain independent and self-sufficient.
- Helping people to meet their basic survival needs during a disaster (food, shelter, clothing, medical needs, etc.).
- Reuniting families separated by disaster.
- Providing people with accurate and up-to-date information about the situation at hand.
- Helping people to re-establish themselves as quickly as possible after a disaster.
- Helping a community work through the recovery process.
If you are interested in becoming an ESS volunteer in the Peace please see our ESS Page for more information.
More information regarding the ESS can be obtained on the website or by calling the Provincial Emergency Program, ESS Branch in Victoria at (250) 387-6446 or toll free in BC at (800) 585-9559.
The Canadian Red Cross, Disaster Services Branch, also plays a very important role in the PRRD Emergency Program by helping people affected by emergencies and disasters. The Red Cross works with governments and other humanitarian organizations (such as Emergency Social Services) to provide for people’s basic needs – food, clothing, shelter, first aid, emotional support and family reunification. During the recovery phase of disasters, Red Cross remains on the scene, helping those affected to rebuild their lives and communities. More information on the Canadian Red Cross and the disaster services they provide can be found at www.redcross.ca or by contacting their Prince George office at (250) 564-6566. The website also contains some excellent information on how families and individuals can ensure that they are personally prepared in the event of a disaster impacting their community.
Does the PRRD emergency preparedness program include search and rescue for lost persons?
No – this is the responsibility of Emergency Management BC, the RCMP, and Search & Rescue groups. The PRRD does provide small grants to local Search and Rescue teams to assist with operational and training costs.
Can I get involved as a volunteer?
The Emergency Management BC website reports that about 13,000 British Columbians volunteer their time and services in areas such as Emergency Social Services, Search and Rescue, Emergency Radio Communications, Emergency Air Services and Road Rescue. These groups are always actively seeking and encouraging new members. For more information on emergency services volunteer opportunities click here.
Resources
Oil & Gas Emergencies
If there is an Oil & Gas emergency in your area call 911 immediately.
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) provides a 24hr number for incidents (explosions, fires, line breaks, spills, or leaks). To report an incident, please call the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre at 1-800-663-3456 (24 hrs. a day). The incident operator will take your information and contact the BCER. For more information check the BCER’s website for fact sheets and public education information or check the Ministry of Natural Gas Development’s website.
Information for Emergency Planners
The Emergency Services Department has prepared the following information that outlines specifically the roles and responsibilities the PRRD will undertake in the event of an oil and gas emergency. For further information please review the document below or contact the Community Services Department at 250-784-3200 or prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca
Contact Information for Emergency Response Plans:
Agency: Peace River Regional District (Local Authority)
Agency Address: 1981 Alaska Avenue, Box 810, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8
Agency Contact: Ryan Kirkham, Protective Services Manager
Emergency/ 24 hr. Number: 1-800-670-7773
Office Number: (250) 784-3200
Fax Number: (250) 784-3201
Family Emergency Preparedness and Kits
- Household Emergency Guide
- Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Get Prepared Canada
- All-hazard Emergency Preparedness Workbook
- Grab-and-Go Emergency Kit
- Rural Emergency Planning
Preparing Your Home for Emergencies
- Back-up Power for Your Home
- When You Must Leave Your House due to a Prolonged Winter Power Outage
- Dealing with Power Outages
- What to do After a Fire
- Wood Heat Safety in an Emergency
Winter Weather Preparedness Tips
- Shift into Winter: Tips for Safe Winter Driving
- Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
- Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Healthy and Safety
- Winter Driving Tips
- Emergency Car Kit – Winter Supplies
- Drive BC
Power Outage Preparedness
Flood Preparedness
- Homeowners Manual – Flood Protection
- EMBC Sandbagging
- EMBC Flood Safety Precautions
- Sand Bag Dike Tips on YouTube
- Landslide Information
Fire Prevention & Preparedness
- BC Homeowners FireSmart Manual
- What to do After a Fire
- FireSmart Canada Website
- Sprinklers Save Lives – Home Fire Sprinkler
- National Fire Protection Association – Fire Prevention
- How to make a Home Fire Escape Plan
- Home Safety Action Plan
Livestock Preparedness
- Planning for Livestock Evacuation – Ministry of Agriculture
- Emergency Management Guide for BC Beef Producers
- AgSafe – Formerly FARSHA
Influenza & Pandemic Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness for Children
 Sparky, the Fire Dog |
 Elmer, the Safety Elephant |
|
Other Links
- Emergency Management BC
- Emergency Support Services (ESS)
- Canadian Red Cross
- Provincial Radio Communications Service
- Civil Air Search and Rescue
- BC Search & Rescue Association
- Amateur Radio
- British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund
- National Fire Protection Association (NPFA)
- Local Weather Stations
