Details

WHEREAS the system of mass emergency & hazard notification in the Province of BC is slow and ineffective, as demonstrated by Emergency Management BC’s slow notification response times for two recent Tsunami Warnings;

AND WHEREAS fast and wide reaching emergency & hazard notification systems are proven to save lives, while slow and ineffective ones inevitably cost lives;

AND WHEREAS some communities have access to effective hazard & emergency mass notification systems, while others don’t;

AND WHEREAS the technology & financial capacity needed to establish a world class system of emergency & hazard notification province-wide are available:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NCLGA, UBCM and FCM urge the Provincial and Federal Governments to establish a world class emergency and hazard mass notification system, including the following:

1. The establishment of a province-wide, all-hazard radio system by expanding Weatheradio Canada coverage, with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) protocols, to 100% of the populated areas in British Columbia by the end of 2014.

2. The establishment of a federal/provincial/local government cost-shared funding program with the purpose of ensuring that all of the communities in BC are able to establish mass notification systems that meet local needs.

Amended by UBCM Membership: 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM and FCM urge the provincial and federal governments to establish a world-class emergency and hazard mass notification system, inlcuding the following:

• the establishment of a province-wide, all-hazard radio system by expanding Weatherradio Canada coverage with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) protocols, to 100% of the populated areas in British Columbia by the end of 2014;
• the establishment of a federal/provincial/local government cost-shared funding program with the purpose of ensuring that all of the communities in BC are able to establish mass notificaiton systems that meet local needs; and
• the distribution of information from the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre (WCATSC) immediately upon recepit of a tsunami warning, with follow up notifications as necessary.

Additional Information

UBCM Comments: The UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution requesting that the federal and provincial governments upgrade emergency response technology so that they are able to notify local governments about earthquakes and tsunami in a more timely fashion. Nor have UBCM members considered a resolution calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide funding to assist local government in developing an emergency and hazard mass notification system to notify local residents.