Hedley Improvement District (HID)

**For all Emergencies go to the end of the document for numbers to call** 

Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Analysis 

Requirement: 
Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA) is a critical part of the emergency program. The HRVA provides a form of relative ranking of which hazards post the most significant risk and for which planning is most important. 

Considering Hazards: 
Considering Hazards alone may lead to a skewed set of priorities for action.  It is equally important to consider the severity of possible impacts from the hazard as well as the likelihood of a hazard event occurring.  The combination of risk and severity and likelihood is termed the level of risk. Likelihood reflects the frequency of the of occurrence for a particular hazard event and can range from rare events occurring every 200 years or more frequent events, which usually have a high number of recorded incidents. 

Vulnerability is defined as people, property, infrastructure, resources or environments that are particularly exposed to adverse impact from a hazard.   

High Priority Hazards: 

• Vehicle Accident 
• Structural Fire  
• Wild and urban interface fires 
• Flooding 
• Landslide 
• Aircraft Accident 
• Highway hazardous material spill 
• Explosion/Gas leak 
• Extended Power Outage 
• Human Infectious Disease 
• Animal Infectious Disease 

 

Low priority Hazards: 

• Severe Weather 
• Earthquake 
• Terrorism  

 

General and Operational Responsibilities:  

The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) will open an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for any disaster in area G, however the Hedley Improvement District (HID) and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB) are able to open our own EOC.  The RDOS will provide staffing and other support to the extent possible. In an emergency, the HID will be required to work directly with the RDOS in mounting a local response. The RDOS emergency management program is a region-wide integrated program, which maximizes available resources, limits duplication and streamlines communications. 

For many emergency events first responders (HID Fire Department) will establish incident command at the site level and no EOC support will be necessary, however events that are more serious may require the support of a municipal or regional district EOC.  For larger events, which would affect various municipality and Electoral Districts a single regional district, an EOC will normally be activated to maximize resources.  The HID/USIB would be responsible to that EOC. For our area an EOC would come from the RDOS office or the council chambers of Princeton or Keremeos. The RDOS has a mobile EOC that will provide flexibility for setup anywhere if any of our EOCs are not available.   

Call-out procedures 

Activation of an EOC will normally be initiated be a request from the Incident Commander at the site (RCMP, Fire Services etc.) the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centers (PREOC) in Kamloops or the Provincial Emergency Coordination Center (PECC) in Victoria.  A declaration of State of Local Emergency is not required to activate an EOC. An EOC is to support the incident and it is up to the RDOS to determine the level of activation, number of staff and location of the EOC. 

Emergency Response Plan Evacuation Alert and Notice 

Decide: Understand Threat; Determine Risk Areas; Evacuate or shelter locally; Announce Alert 

Plan: Authorize evacuation; Assess population to be evacuated; Identify Routes; Activate reception centers 

Implement: Announce order and instruct; Deploy response personnel; Control Traffic — Transport needy; Monitor Evacuation; Establish Security (usually RCMP) 

Return: Issue all clear; Facilitate re-entry 

Alternative to evacuation: 

Could be shelter in local area and decided in consultation with the EOC Director. In case of Evacuation Alert, all residences will be issued an evacuation alert with instructions. 

Hedley/USIB Specific Disaster Plan  
 
Communications: 

Hedley Fire Department is directly connected to Kelowna Fire Dispatch by a relay station placed at a China Creek Internet site. Fire fighters have direct access to Dispatch from their hand held radios but the incident commander will normally handle communication.  There is also a radio back up by telephone, which supports radio contact by telephone to Dispatch.  

Incident Commander: 

A person, usually from the Fire Department appointed by a ranking officer, or by the duty officer to be in command of the incident.  Incident commanders (ICs) are usually at the scene of isolated fires (structure fires) or motor vehicle incidents (MVI) but in an extreme disaster situation will be stationed at the Fire Hall in order to direct communications. If the EOC Commander is at the EOC the IC will be at the scene. As soon as a more experienced person from PECC or RDOS arrives, the incident commander will brief the incoming incident commander and pass over authority. 

Local Emergency Operation Command (EOC) will be the Fire Hall unless the Hall is included in the disaster when an appropriate site will be decided upon.  The Snaza’ist Center and the Hedley Center would be the two most appropriate sites as they both have telephone and internet capability. 

Evacuation Center(s) 

• The Hedley Centre 
• Community Hall 
• Snaza‘ists  Centre 
• Hedley Grace Church  

If an evacuation outside of Hedley is required: 

Keremeos Recreation Center 
311 9^TH Street, Keremeos  

To be Determined 
Princeton, BC 

Severe Weather Hazards 

Severe winter storms, snowstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, windstorms and other severe weather events can result in a major emergency including the loss of life, closure of essential transportation routes, power outages and other potentially dangerous situations.  We are not particularly prone to severe weather events that can significantly affect the ability of families and communities to function efficiently.  Infrequent weather events should be expected. When possible warn citizens of impending severe weather.  Emergency Support Services (ESS) may serve those requiring shelter including elderly and invalids. 

Ask RCMP to waive license requirements for All Terrain Vehicles used for emergency evacuation.  

Priority is removal/debris for emergency services, including access to shelters and hospital hill. 

Potential Actions:  Establish Incident command post 

                                  Establish adequate communications 

       Alert Fortis that hazards may need to be moved from power lines 

                                  Clear routes for emergency vehicles 

                                  Establish traffic control 

EOC Appointed Functions: Information officer, planning officer, logistics ESS 

Establish priorities for clearing snow 

Information Officer: 

• Advise public of status and advise what self- help measures they can take 
• Establish call center for public inquiries 

 

Operations: 

• Work with Public Works to establish snow removal priorities. 
• Establish routes for Emergency Vehicles. 
• Coordinate protection of property (RCMP) 
• Eliminate hazards from damages utilities (Fortis) 
• Coordinate provision of auxiliary power (Fire Department) 
• Coordinate search for people requiring shelter. (RCMP) 
• Coordinate transport of food, fuel, pharmaceutical supplies medical personnel and others to points of need. 
• Activate reception Center 

 

 Planning: 

• Access weather and other reports as needed. 
• Provide Operations with updated traffic route problems 
• Anticipate side effects. (Flooding from snow melt, etc.)  
• Consider possible major effects: 

-Casualties 
-Building collapse 
-Damage to property 
-Disruption of traffic 
-Disruption of communications 
-Extended power outage 
-Disruption of community services such as police and ambulance 
-Transportation to and from medical facilities 

Logistics: 

• Contact all apparatus needed (Snow removal, removal of downed trees etc.) 
• Contact all ATV vehicles. 
• Contact food suppliers and determine on-hand supplies.  
• Consider potential equipment needs: 

-Rescue equipment 
-Ambulances 
-Road clearing equipment 
-Auxiliary Generators 
-Barricades and emergency do not enter tape  

Explosion / Gas Leak 

Vapor explosions are possible where flammable gasses, such as propane or natural gas, may leak and collect. Gas leaks and explosions occur when natural gas lines rupture due to corrosion or natural hazards such as a landslide or earthquake. In the event of an explosion, life safety of both responders and impacted people will be the first priority. In the event of an explosion caused by a gas leak or if there is a suspected gas leak: evacuate, secure the area and contact fire dispatch with instructions that they should call the gas company. 

Immediately secure the area: 

• Notify RCMP immediately for cause/investigation 

 

Actions at or close to scene.  Safety is priority one. 

• Establish Incident Command 
• Establish communications 
• Rescue and firefighters to be called 
• Establish working area and safety control area 
• Eliminate hazards from damaged utilities 
• Establish routes for emergency vehicles 
• Notify dispatch/hospital (s) of casualty type and number 
• Establish traffic control 
• Establish crowd control 
• Warning of possible subsequent fire 
• Establish a public information system 
• Establish temporary morgue if there are deaths 

 

EOC Check List: 

• Ensure safety officer is on scene 
• Notify dispatch that incident command is established 
• Ensure RCMP is notified 

 

Planning: 

• Ensure appropriate technical specialists are contacted and available 
• Determine nature of substance leaking or spilled 
• Commence evacuation planning, if required 
• Define area of risk 
• Establish Identification of spill-er, for cost recovery process 
• Consider possible major effects including property damage, death, fire, panic, dangers to public health, disruption of traffic, disruption of utilities 

 

Logistics: 

Prepare to support long-term recovery 

Consider potential equipment needs, such as ambulances, firefighting and rescue, water tankers and street cleaners, auxiliary lighting, food and blankets, mobile public address unit.  (On fire Apparatus and first response vehicle)  

Flooding 

Policy:  
RDOS works in close and cooperative concert with HID, Emergency Management BC (EMBC), USIB, Ministry of the Environment (MOEI), Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure (MOTI) in the event of major flooding. The public will be continually and accurately informed by releasing all confirmed flood warning information through local media sources. Evacuation of residents in flood zones will be a priority, with early warning being the key successful evacuation policy. 

Potential actions at scene: 

• Establish Incident Command 
• Mobilize necessary personnel and equipment 
• Establish jurisdiction (RDOS) 
• Establish traffic control (RCMP) 
• Check stocks of sand and sandbags 
• Eliminate hazards from damaged utilities 
• Protect property and relocate resources as necessary 
• Evacuate personnel and animals 
• Establish a public information system 

 

EOC Checklists: 

• Establish a reception center or direct people to Keremeos or Princeton 
• Deploy field observers to gather flood intelligence and soon as possible 
• Define areas of risk 
• Commence evacuation planning if required 
• Consider possible major effects such as casualties, damage to property, escape of hazardous materials, contamination of water supplies, dangers to public health, evacuation of population and loss of local economic activities 

 

Logistics: 

• Contact RDOS through dispatch for personnel will be needed 
• Identify equipment needed 
• Anticipate long-term feeding/accommodation of field workers 

*Consider potential equipment needs, such as transportation, boats, communications equipment, heavy equipment, auxiliary lighting, auxiliary generators, medical and health supplies, food and lodging, pumps, mobile public address equipment. Not under or skill/level of training for HFD or HID. 

Hazard Materials Release 

Nature of the Hazard:  A hazardous material is any substance that may be explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, reactive, radioactive or toxic. A hazardous materials accident involves the uncontrolled release of a hazardous material during storage, use or transport and can have a wide range of impacts depending on the nature of the material released.  Possible impacts range from road closures, widespread or local evacuation and injury or could even be fatal.  In addition, toxic materials may have an effect on the environment. 

Policies:   

• Responders will take defensive/protective measures until the hazardous product has been identified 
• The spill-er is responsible for clean-up and site restoration 
• The community will be advised the hazards and the risk 
• Site must be secured to preserve evidence and provide support as needed 

 

Potential Actions at scene: 

• Establish Incident command 
• Establish Communications 
• Contact EMBC by phone and/or dispatch by radio for more information about the spill 
• Determine nature of hazardous material 
• Rescue and firefighting to be involved 
• Evacuate area 
• Warn adjacent areas 
• Establish traffic control 
• Establish evacuation routes and detours 
• Establish public/media information system 

 

EOC Checklist: 

• Select Fire Chief or alternate as Operations Coordinator 
• Ensure MOE and other appropriate agencies are notified 
• Establish Information Officer function 

 

Operations: 

• Ensure RCMP and Medical Emergency agencies are notified of product type 
• Provide support to Incident Commander and coordinate agencies 
• Ensure Hot/Warm/Cold zones are communicated to all agencies 
• Establish Traffic Control.  FD can establish but responsibility for ongoing traffic control is the RCMP’s 
• Establish evacuation or detour routes 
• Evacuate high hazard zones 
• Ensure Public Health Officer is advised 

 

Planning: 

Ensure appropriate technical specialists are contacted and available 

Determine nature of substance released or spilled 

• Define areas of risk 
• Commenced evacuation if needed 
• Establish identification of spill-er for cost recovery purposes 

 

Consider major effects: 

Injuries and/or fatalities, tendency of people to disperse, damage to property, disruption of traffic, subsequent explosion or fire, the need to decontaminate site responders, equipment and vehicles, contamination of water supplies, dangers to public health and livestock and disruption of businesses and industrial activities and dangers of fishing in local streams and rivers.  

Landslide 

The HID and USIB are located in an area of steep slopes and alluvial fans, mostly composed of weathered volcanic material and are subject to slides. Rock faces continue to break away in small slides but a much larger one could occur. In the past 100 years several landslides have occurred. 

Policies: 

• Responder safety must be considered first. 
• Landslides frequently involve multiple agencies and jurisdictions.  It is desirable to work cooperatively with these agencies in a unified command where possible 

 

Potential Actions at Scene: 

• Warning of imminence  
• Establish Incident Command Post and EOC 
• Establish adequate communications. 
• Establish traffic control 
• Eliminate hazards from damaged utilities 
• Evacuate personnel and livestock and pets as needed 

 

Command Checklists: 

• Select police or alternate as operations coordinator 
• Ensure appropriate agencies meet with Command 
• Establish adequate communications and public information systems 
• Establish proper authority for action among participating agencies 

 

Operations: 

• Coordinate search and rescue of victims (Fire Department) 
• Staff ESS positions for possible reception centres 
• Evacuate personnel (Police) 
• Establish detours and traffic control (Police) 
• Protect Property (Police) 
• Coordinate removal and disposal of slide material as required (Engineering branch) 
• Eliminate hazards from damaged utilities  (Fortis) 

 

Planning: 

Deploy field observers to assess damage and possible evacuations. Consider further slide potential, and obtain weather reports. 

Consider possible major effects: 

• Casualties 
• Damage to property 
• Closure of roads and highways 
• Damage to utilities 
• Contamination of local water supplies 
• Evacuation of population from danger areas 
• Dangers to public health 
• Families who wish to help in search 
• Disruption of community 
• Losses to local economy 

 

Logistics: 

Identify additional heave equipment if needed 

Anticipate long-term feeding/accommodation 

Anticipate other equipment needs:  Transportation, communications equipment, heavy equipment, Auxiliary lighting, medical and health supplies and food and logging.  

Power Outages 

Hazard: Causes of power outages include damage to hydro poles from fires, heavy winds, ice storms, snowstorms, falling trees and other debris, vehicle impacts and industrial pollution.  Overuse of electrical power or mechanical problems can also cause substation and transformer equipment to fail, leading to burnouts and reduced electricity capacity. Some critical infrastructure in HID/USIB and the RDOS are not backed up with power for use during outages.  The water supply may rely on electricity so that in the event of an outage, water supply may be limited to reservoir capacity. 

Policies: 

• Fortis Electricity and Telus are responsible for restoration of power and telephone service 
• The EOC can assist indirectly with such actions as clearing fallen trees from routes used by line crews 
• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, will local responders handle or be within 30m of power lines because of potential hazards 

 

Potential Actions at Scene: 

• Establish headquarters for power restoration 
• Control allocation of emergency power 
• Establish public information system 
• Establish Traffic Control (RCMP) 

 

EOC Checklist: 

• Establish local command 
• Request information from Fortis and/or Telus 
• Establish information officer position 
• Establish staff positions as required 

 

Operations: 

• Assist utility crews where possible 
• Eliminate Hazards 
• Coordinate provision of emergency power 
• Coordinate transport of food, fuel, pharmaceutical supplies, medical personnel and others to points of need 
• Establish reception centres for the aged/infirm 

 

Planning: 

• Identify facilities with critical power needs 
• Identify if alternative power is available 
• Provide Operations with updated weather reports 
• Consider possible major effects such as casualties, disruption of traffic (RCMP) , disruption of utilities, trapped persons (elevator) and health and fire hazards associated with alternative fuels for warmth 

 

Logistics: 

• Locate and stage any power generation equipment and fuel 
• Ensure Command and public safety facilities have auxiliary power 
• Contact food suppliers and determine on hand supplies 
• Consider potential equipment needs such as auxiliary power auxiliary heaters, mobile public address equipment, auxiliary lighting and emergency lodging and feeding 

 

Wildland/Urban Interface Fire 

Our area has conditions extremely conducive for fires. The two main causes of fires are lightning strikes and human carelessness. Once a fire has begun, it can spread quickly due to high winds and steep slopes. Fires become particularly devastating when they encroach on human infrastructure; when this occurs, they are considered wild land/urban interface (WUI) fires. 

Both evacuation and response can be complicated and dangerous in areas in our area due to limited road access.  Wooden bridges can also become problematic during interface fires as they may burn. Resources and plans to evacuate these areas should be pre-arranged. Periodic monitoring of pre-planned evacuation routes will assure roads are clear of debris and conditions are suitable for emergency response and evacuation. 

The hazards associated with a large-scale fire may be high in some areas because of poor access to water. It is also important to note that use of community water reserves as a fire-extinguishing agent, could leave locals with no choice but to fulfill their water needs, using sources of water that may not meet provincial drinking water standards. 

Policies: 

• Interface fires will be managed using unified command, with Incident Commanders supplied by the BC Forest Service and our local fire departments using mutual aid agreements 
• Unified Command may also be used in the EOC where more than one jurisdiction is threatened. (e.g., HID, USIB and RDOS 

 

Potential actions at scene: 

• Establish Command Post(s) 
• Fire suppression and rescue 
• Evacuation 
• Define working area and establish control 
• Establish adequate communications 
• Eliminate hazards from damaged utilities (Fortis) 
• Establish routes for emergency vehicles 
• Establish traffic control 
• Warn of fire spread 

 

EOC Checklist: 

• Select Fire Chief or alternative (BC Forest Service) as Operations Coordinator. 
• Establish link with IC and EOC 
• Notify PEP that EOC is established 
• Ensure interface fire command is unified 
• Staff Information Officer position 
• Establish public information system (Information Officer) 
• Ensure new media have safe access to damaged area, with safety in mind, and at the discretion of the IC 
• Establish public inquiry system (Information Officer) 

 

Operations: 

• Establish communications with IC and/or Operations Chief 
• Determine need for evacuation (Fire Branch) 
• Notify Fire Commissioner (Fire Branch) 
• Ensure utilities are advised (Fire Branch) 
• Warn of potential spread of fire and need for fire breaks (Fire Branch) 
• Evacuate areas at risk (Police Branch) 
• Advise livestock owners on evacuation. (Min. Agriculture and Lands) 
• Define working area and establish control area (Police Branch) 
• Secure scene for potential for subsequent investigation (Police Branch) 
• Control; traffic routes for emergency vehicles (Police Branch) 
• Protect property where necessary (Police Branch) 
• Eliminate hazards from Utilities (Fortis electric and gas, HID USIB for water) 
• Notify hospitals of injured and casualties (Ambulance Branch) 
• Establish emergency public health facilities (Health Authority) 
• Establish temporary morgue, if needed (Police Branch) 
• Establish ESS Reception Centres (ESS Branch) 
• Staff ESS positions for possible reception Centres (ESS Branch) 

 

Planning: 

• Provide information support to IC, e.g. Maps, available resources 
• Supervise damage assessment 
• Assess limited egress in some areas to determine need for early evacuation orders 
• Assess damaged areas to determine hazards for returning residents  

 

Transportation Accident-Vehicle 

Of major concerns are accidents involving large numbers of passengers or other vehicles, including passenger vehicles, carrying amounts of hazardous and/or explosive products. Although major accidents do not occur frequently, they are a concern to the HID and the USIB.  A major accident involving a vehicle transporting dangerous goods can cause the need for evacuation of the surrounding communities. Depending on the location of an accident, access and evacuation may be impaired.  In such situations and alternative means of moving people and resources between communities must be considered.  

Policies: 

• The EOC will open only in the event of a significant motor vehicle accident that causes or could cause multiple casualties 
• Motor vehicle accidents should be managed at the scene 
• The EOC will provide support and assistance to the IC as required 

 

Potential Actions at scene: 

• Establish Incident Command post 
• Establish adequate communications 
• Establish traffic control 
• Request additional police assistance 
• Establish routes for emergency vehicles 
• Request ambulances, wreckers, heavy equipment, fire apparatus, hazmat unit and heavy equipment as required 
• Rescue due to entrapment 
• Notify hospitals of causality types and number 
• Establish working area and control perimeter 
• Special precautions needed when radio-active or hazardous materials are involve 
• Establish a public information system 

 

EOC Checklists: Select Police or alternative as operations director 

Make contact with motor carrier and request attendance at EOC or IC post 

Establish Information Officer 

Establish public information system 

Establish family inquiry system 

Operations: 

• Establish Reception Centre 
• Support IC in defining working area, establishing control perimeter, and securing the scene for subsequent investigation (RCMP) 
• Establish routes for emergency vehicles (RCMP) 
• Request ambulances, wreckers, fire apparatus and heavy equipment as needed 
• Notify Hospitals of casualties, including number and type (Ambulance Branch) 
• Establish temporary morgue.  
• Eliminate hazards from damaged utilities (Fortis) 

 

Planning: 

Consider possible major effects such as casualties, deaths, persons trapped, fires and explosions, sudden hospital requirements and disruption of traffic. 

Logistics: 

• Prepare to support long-term recovery and investigation operations. 
• Identify potential temporary morgue facilities 
• Consider potential equipment needs such as wrecker(s), firefighting equipment, barricades, traffic control personnel, heavy equipment, and test equipment for hazardous materials  

 

Finance:  

Response costs may be billed to carrier, track all expense costs carefully   

HFD EMERGENCY CONTACTS 

Bill Rube – Fire Chief – 1-604-220-2658
Michael South – Deputy Chief – 1-778-233-2249
Water Department – 1-250-488-1188
Backhoe, Nate Fraser 1-604-932-0053

Emergency Management BC (EMBC task #) 1-800-663-3456

Provincial regional operations center (PREOC) 1-250-371-5273

RDOS

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (office) 1-250-492-0237

EOC Coordinator – Shawn Vaisler (mobile) 1-250-809-2541

Regional ESS Coordinator 1-250-486-1890

RDOS AREA G DIRECTOR, Tim Roberts (mobile) 1-250-499-9576

USIB EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Robin Erwin, EPC 1-250-293-6776 

Mark McRae, Community Liaison 1-778-531-7413 

Fortis Emergency
Electricity 1- 866-436-7847 (24 hours)

Natural gas 1-866-663-9911 (24 hours)  

AIM ROADS (Road maintenance call center) 1-866-222-4204 (24 hours) 

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT  

Environmental Emergencies 1-800-663-3456 

MINISTRY OF HEALTH   

Environmental Health Protection 1-855-743-3550 

Penticton office 1-250-770-5540 

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE  

Thompson Nicola District office 1-250 828-4002 

Penticton office 1-250-490-2225 

RCMP
Princeton Detachment, non-emergency 1-250-295-6911  
Keremeos Detachment, non-emergency 1-250-499-5511