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Emergency Info

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Contact Phone
BC Ambulance Service 250.674.3356
Clearwater Fire Zone 250.587.6700
Clearwater Dental Clinic 250.674.2151
Clearwater Medical Centre 250.674.3319
Clearwater Public Health Unit 250.674.3141
Clearwater RCMP Detachment 250.674.2237
Clearwater RCMP Detachment Online Crime Reporting Click here
Conservation Services 1.877.952.7277
District of Clearwater- After-hours emergency 250.674.3015
Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital 250.674.2244
Safe Home Response Service (Yellowhead Community Services)
Clearwater & Area
250.674.2135
Safe Home Response Service (Yellowhead Community Services)
North Thompson Valley & Area outside of Clearwater
1.855.674.2135 (TOLL FREE)

                                                            IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL 911.

 

Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan

The District of Clearwater has an Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan in place that guides the operations, organization, responsibilities and coordination necessary to provide for effective response and recovery from major emergencies or disasters in the District of Clearwater.

What do you need to know?

Be prepared: Get prepared for any kind of disaster or emergency before it is too late. Find tips on how to here.

Local State of Emergency: The Mayor or the Municipal Council may declare a State of Local Emergency. The declaration document names the nature and location of the emergency. The Declaration will immediately be published and when rescinded, the cancellation will also be published.

Evacuation Notice/ Alert: May be issued before the Evacuation Order depending on time available. It gives residents notice to be prepared for a possible evacuation. You should consider moving livestock now.

Evacuation Order: If an evacuation order is issued by the District of Clearwater, it would be preceded by the Declaration of a State of Local Emergency (if needed). Once the local emergency has been declared and an evacuation ordered, area residents and visitors must comply and the R.C.M.P. may use discretionary powers to enforce the order. When the Evacuation Order is issued to the population at risk, it will be communicated by website, Facebook and delivery of handouts to the door. An evacuation route, assembly points and reception centres for evacuees are identified in the order. The RCMP will be conducting traffic control. Once residents have left the area, they may not return until the order is lifted. Sometimes an event may require the order to be issued without Evacuation Notice ahead of time and residents may have to leave momentarily.

Evacuation kits: Gather and organize your emergency supplies now so you are ready when disaster strikes. Do not forget items for pets, seniors or children. You should gather some of these items:

  • Non-perishable food: three-day to one-week supply, with a manual can opener
  • Water: four litres per person, per day for drinking and sanitation
  • Phone charger, battery 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
  • Cash in small bills
  • Garbage bags and moist towelettes for personal sanitation
  • Seasonal clothing, sturdy footwear and emergency blanket
  • Dust masks if you live in an area that’s prone to earthquakes
  • Whistle
  • More on Emergency Kit Supplies.

Shelters and Reception Centres: Evacuation route and Reception Centres are identified and the evacuees will be routed here. At the Reception Centres, evacuees need to check in with Emergency Social Services (ESS) to determine their needs and to register with the Canadian Red Cross to allow for family and friends to locate evacuees.

Communications: The Declaration of a State of Local Emergency, Evacuation Notice and Evacuation Order will be communicated to area residents by way of:

  • R.C.M.P. contact (if safe to do so)
  • Area Volunteer Fire Fighters or Search and Rescue Volunteers as provided by BC Emergency Management
  • Website and Facebook

Please share the information with your family and friends if there is enough time to do so.
Depending on the disaster, there may be printed information issued from the District of Clearwater. Ahead of any disaster or emergency, it is advisable to make yourself familiar with the District of Clearwater website and follow the Facebook page to receive current information.

After Evacuation Order has been rescinded:

Returning home after a flood.
Returning home after a wildfire.

 Generally:

  • Do not return home until authorities advise you to do so
  • Prepare yourself that your home and its surroundings may not look like before
  • Stay out of any buildings if structure was compromised
  • Walk your property carefully and inspect for damage to structure, well, sewer, propane

What do you need to do?

  • Make a Family Emergency plan which is a playbook for how you and your household will respond to a disaster. Knowing what to do will reduce anxiety and help keep you focused and safe. More information here.
  • As time will be of the essence should an evacuation be necessary, area residents are encouraged to have a personal emergency preparedness kit ready. Depending on the timing of the event, voluntary evacuation may take place prior to being officially notified by either the District of Clearwater or the R.C.M.P.
  • The Mayor and or Council of the District of Clearwater must declare a state of local emergency before ordering an evacuation. For a wildfire event, the Order may be issued by the Office of the Fire Commissioner or the BC Wildfire Service following consultation with the Incident Commander.
  • Once the evacuation has been ordered, area residents must comply as the order will be enforced by the R.C.M.P. Immediately:
    • Gather up family and your emergency kit
    • Proceed quickly and calmly to the evacuation reception centre identified in the Evacuation Order.
    • If the evacuation has been ordered as a result of a wildfire or hazardous goods event, do not proceed in the general direction of the event. Ensure that travel proceeds away from the event towards the reception centre.
    • Do not return home until the Order has been rescinded.
  • Remember: Under lawful Declaration of a State of Local Emergency the R.C.M.P. may exercise its discretionary powers to enforce an evacuation order.

Please note:  In the event that school is in session – school children will be taken to the evacuation reception centre to be reunited with parents.