2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report Prepared by: Bill Elsner CEM, CTR Emergency Program Coordinator

Emergency management addresses six principal elements: risk assessment, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery and program evaluation. The Sunshine Coast is susceptible to many types of disasters and emergencies. The highest risks are wildland urban interface fires, dangerous goods, landslides, tidal storm surges and earthquakes. These events can have collateral effects sufficient to prompt a formal declaration of a local state of emergency. The Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) is a function of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and encompasses all municipalities and electoral areas on the lower Sunshine Coast from Port Mellon to Earls Cove. This integrated program was one of the first regional emergency programs in the Province. SCEP has a full time emergency program coordinator whose primary role is to keep the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in a state of readiness, train staff and volunteers and educate the public in emergency preparedness.

An Emergency Planning Committee chaired by the Emergency Program Coordinator (EPC) is composed of representatives of agencies having direct functional responsibilities during a major emergency. These agencies include but are not limited to: RCMP, Fire Departments, BC Ambulance, municipal public works, BC Forest Service, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Ferries, Salvation Army, School District 46, EMBC and BC Hydro. Additionally, a number of volunteer groups such as Emergency Support Services (ESS), Amateur Emergency Radio Services (ARES), Search and Rescue (SAR) and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM SAR) play a major role in our Emergency Program.

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report 2013 was a relatively calm year on the Sunshine Coast and around BC. The long dry summer did not result in any significant wildland urban interface fires or severe water restrictions. Several minor hazardous materials incidents were managed without incident. The Emergency Program Coordinator conducted numerous emergency preparedness presentations for local governments, schools, libraries, community associations and seniors groups. Presentations on emergency preparedness were also provided to both Keats and Gambier Islands. A great deal of training was organized and conducted by SCEP this past year. The “Emergency Operations Centre Essentials” training workshops were attended by SCRD and Sechelt Nation staff. One half of this training was funded by Emergency Management BC (EMBC). SCRD recreation staff were trained in “Group Lodging”, “Reception Centre Management” and “Managing Walk in Volunteers”. They can now be called on to assist Emergency Support Services (ESS) in the event of a large scale evacuation. Building inspectors, facilities managers, fire fighters and Search and Rescue attended a “Rapid Damage Assessment” workshop presented by BC Housing. This training provides the Applied Trades Council (ATC) 20 guidelines for making decisions about whether structures are safe to occupy after a flood, fire explosion or seismic event. Twenty-two local volunteer fire fighters gave up 3 days of their time to attend a “Structural Collapse Awareness” workshop instructed by the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) team. The primary goal of this training was to provide our fire fighters with the knowledge and skills required to safely rescue individuals trapped in collapsed structures. Two Planners from the SCRD attended an advanced EOC training workshop as well. Training exercises took place for ESS volunteers and SCEP promoted and participated in the “Great BC Shakeout” earthquake drill in October. 2

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report Bruce Searle has also been trained to step in as Deputy EPC as part of his employee role. The Emergency Program Coordinator (EPC) sat as a panellist on the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium as an emergency management subject matter expert. He is also a member of an expert working group on the Chemical Biological Radiological Explosive (CBRNE) project at the Justice Institute of BC. This Justice Institute project is researching the psychosocial effects of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) events. The EPC attended the inaugural meeting of the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response group (MEOPAR), a network of scientists and researchers dedicated to reducing vulnerabilities and risks in the Salish Sea as well as reducing response times. The SCEP website www.scrd.ca/emergency-program underwent a makeover in 2013 with new information and easier to follow links. As you can see in the volunteer activity statistics at the end of this report, the residents of the Sunshine Coast are very well served by over 145 dedicated, committed and highly skilled unpaid professionals. These men and women gave up an impressive 8000 hours of their time to train for and respond to citizens in need. The actual cost of these donated hours is about $1.30 per Sunshine Coast resident. From a public safety perspective there is no doubt lives are saved each year by the heroic actions of these selfless individuals. On behalf of all the residents of the Sunshine Coast I would like to thank all the emergency services volunteers who serve us. You have our support and profound appreciation. Respectfully,

Bill Elsner CEM, CTR Emergency Program Coordinator Sunshine Coast Regional District January 10, 2014 3

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report

Public Awareness Presentations and Committee involvement: o Sechelt, Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont Fire Departments o Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue Society o Gibsons Public Library o Town of Gibsons public presentation o District of Sechelt Council o SIGD Band Council o The Great BC Shakeout promotion and activities o Frequent submissions to local media regarding public safety issues such as extreme weather precautions, fire smart initiatives, travel safety, storm surges and general preparedness o Emergency preparedness information is routinely updated at http://www.scrd.ca/Emergency-Program o Sunshine Coast Policing Committee (SCRD) o Joint Health and Safety Committee (SCRD)

4

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report Operations and Planning: o Ongoing recruitment of volunteers for Search and Rescue, Emergency Support Services and Emergency Communications o Maintain current contact information for all response personnel o Chair monthly meetings of the Emergency Planning Committee o Regular updates to Vital Services Directory o Maintain and test emergency backup generators o Regular tests and maintenance of VSAT and MSAT satellite systems o Inspect and maintain emergency medical supplies including 200 Bed Emergency Hospital and Casualty Collection Units o Inspection and repairs to Mobile Command Unit o Provide advice and guidance to local authority staff on matters dealing with public safety o Maintain Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in a state of readiness and functionality o Frequent interviews with local media on emergency preparedness matters o Provide exercise support for response agencies o Rapid Damage Assessment backpacks for building inspectors have been assembled along with placards and forms.

5

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report

Training and Exercising: o

EOC Essentials training to SIGD and SCRD

o

ESS exercise “Summer Wind”

o

ESS Group Lodging workshop (recreation staff)

o

ESS Reception Centre workshop (recreation staff)

o

ESS managing Walk in Volunteers workshop

o

Emergency Support Services conducted numerous documentation and reception centre tabletop exercises.

o

Amateur Emergency Radio Services conducts weekly tests of communications equipment.

o

Shake Out 2013

o

Coordinate First Responder training with Emergency Health Services for all coast fire departments

o

Rapid Damage Assessment ATC 20

o

Rapid Damage Assessment EOC Coordination level

o

Structural Collapse Rescue Awareness applied training

o

Level 3 EOC Planning

o

Critical Incident Stress Management awareness for SAR and ESS

Grants and projects: The Federal Government has eliminated the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP). This will have serious repercussions on the ability of SCEP to plan exercises and purchase new equipment.

Elimination of Provincial Gaming grants for volunteer rescue societies will have a huge impact on their ability to operate. Significant time will now have to be spent fundraising instead of training.

6

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report

Emergency Support Services (ESS) Emergency Support Services volunteers provide short- term support (up to 72 hours), to preserve the emotional and physical well-being of individuals who are evacuated from their homes during an emergency. This year SCEP proceeded with a long term plan to get recreation staff trained as additional ESS resources. These fine people have well developed people skills and are familiar with the SCRD facilities that would be used as reception centres in the event of a large scale evacuation. Approximately 20 SCRD recreation staff members took Group Lodging, Reception Centre and Managing Walk in Volunteer training this year. The goals of ESS are to: o o o

Help people plan and prepare for emergencies Respond to emergencies when they occur Assist in the recovery from disasters

During a disaster, trained ESS volunteers provide: o o o o o

Food, clothing and shelter Registration of names and addresses to re-unite families Financial assistance through government programs Care for pets Information, support and comfort to those affected

Another component of ESS is the Emergency Support Services Level 1 team who work with Fire Departments and Police to assist individuals in smaller emergencies such as structure fires. Several new members have joined and received training in how to deliver ESS L-1. The third component of ESS is the Animal Disaster Response group. Their mandate is to educate pet and animal owners about preparing for disasters. During a disaster they provide assistance and care to animals at reception centres. Our SCEP ESS team meets monthly where they train and participate in exercises that test and strengthen their skills. We have 35 ESS volunteers, coming from all walks of life and new volunteers are always welcome. Training is extensive and free!

7

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report Search and Rescue (SAR) Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue (SCSAR) volunteers provide land based and inland water search and rescue services under direction from the RCMP. SCSAR Society is a member of the BCSAR Association and assist with mutual aid requests from Emergency Management BC. As well, they can be tasked by fire departments, BCAS and the SCEP emergency coordinator to provide emergency assistance wherever it is required. This year SCSAR responded to over 14 callouts for lost persons, medical assists, evidence searches and body recoveries. This is well above the average of 5 calls/year. SAR Members meet for weekly training to hone their skills and to check over equipment. Training this year consisted of Helicopter Hover Exit, Tracking, First Aid, Ground SAR and Rope Rescue. SCSAR volunteers continue to work toward completion of the Utility Terrain vehicle (UTV) project which should arrive here early in January 2014. A large portion of the funding for the UTV came from a $30,000 Provincial Gaming grant and $14,000 from SCSAR Society funds. A vacuum spine board was also acquired this year at a cost of $2,000. This high tech rescue device enhances patient comfort and reduces further injuries. Annual operating costs include: rope replacement, liability insurance, advanced medical supplies, phones and pagers. 11 new recruits began their 6 months of training program in November. Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM SAR The 3 volunteer RCM SAR stations provide marine rescue under the direction of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC). They are also available to provide emergency marine transport to the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) and land Search and Rescue (SAR). Station 61 in Pender Harbour responded to 21 incidents. Major purchases include replacement of the starboard engine for $22,000.00 Station 14 in Gibsons responded to 27 incidents. Major purchases include survival gear and boat repairs. Station 12 in Halfmoon Bay responded to 22 missions. $150,000 was spent on the complete refit of 7.33 RHIB Lewis-McPhee. The acquisition and repair of a boathouse along with the generous donation of dock space from the District of Sechelt will keep the Lewis-McPhee protected and ready to respond in Sechelt Inlet. 8

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) ARES volunteers consist of licensed amateur radio operators (HAMS) who provide a reliable mode of back up communication when the telephone system fails. They operate and maintain a repeater on Mt. Benson on Vancouver Island. As well, they host a weekly emergency radio net check in and keep all radio equipment in a state of operational readiness.

9

2013 Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) Annual Report Volunteer Activity: Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 14 Response 143 hours Rescues 14 persons Training/exercising 485 person hours Members 16 Property saved $ 2,114,100.00 SCRD Grant $ 5,000.00 Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 61 Response 140 hours Rescues 4 persons Training/exercising 1268 person hours Members 22 Property saved $ 100,000.00 SCRD Grant $ 5,000.00 Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 12 Response 39.44 hours Rescues 19 persons Training/exercising 3200 person hours Members 31 Property saved $277,500.00 SCRD Grant $ 5,000.00 Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue Response 514 hours Rescues 18 persons Training/exercising 2425 person hours Members 29 SCRD Grant $ 19,000.00 Emergency Support Services Response 40 hours Assisted 2 persons Training/exercising 100 person hours Members 42 SCRD Budget $ 5,000.00 Emergency Communications Training Members

400 person hours 5

10