The Powell River Regional District has a basic Emergency Management Program for all of its electoral areas. The purpose of this program is to protect residents, visitors, public infrastructure, the environment and property in the event of major emergencies or disasters including natural disasters, man-made disasters and public health emergencies.

The major elements of the regional district’s Emergency Management Program are:

  • Personal Preparedness
  • Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Analysis
  • Emergency Plan & Ongoing Work
  • Ongoing Planning

To sustain this program, the regional district has an Emergency Management Committee composed of elected officials, regional district staff and our Emergency Coordinator.

Whenever necessary, the regional district will work in conjunction with the City of Powell River (which has its own program and plan) and with Sliammon First Nation.


Personal Preparedness
All preparedness for major emergencies and disasters is predicated on the assumption that individuals and families recognize and consider the threats to which they may be exposed in the areas in which they live and that they will take prudent measures to prevent, mitigate and prepare for hazardous events.

Our regional district offers limited services and has a very small staff, so personal preparedness is particularly important for residents of our electoral areas. Check out the Powell River Regional District Emergency Brochure to see what you can do to be more prepared.

If you have more questions or concerns, please contact our Emergency Coordinator Ryan Thoms.


Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Analysis

Major Risks: wildfires, severe weather events and earthquakes. This determination is based on work conducted by a locally-based consultant and committees of long-time residents who worked through a format and information provided by Emergency Management BC.

Tsunami: the electoral areas of our region are not at significant risk from a devastating tsunami wave. This assessment is based on a research report prepared for our electoral areas. Low lying areas along our region’s coastline are still vulnerable to strong waves and tides resulting from storm and seismic events. Please see the Tsunami Report and Tsunami Maps for more detailed information.

Earthquakes: all of coastal BC is prone to seismic events. Learn how to prepare yourself and your home at www.shakeoutbc.ca.


Emergency Plans & Ongoing Work
Our Emergency Management Plan outlines how the regional district will coordinate emergency response measures including contingency and recovery plans. It was prepared by a consultant who again worked with committees of long-time residents and elected officials. The Plan is reviewed annually by the Emergency Planning Committee and it will be revised to meet any new or changing conditions in our region.

We have developed Local Area Plans reflecting the uniqueness of our electoral areas:


Contacts & Links


Legal Authorities
Provincial legislation requires all regional districts to do emergency planning. The most important pieces of provincial legislation include the Emergency Program Act and the Local Authority Emergency Planning Regulations. The provincial agency responsible for emergency planning is Emergency Management BC (EMBC).

Local Bylaws 382 and 396 govern how the Powell River Regional District’s emergency service is established, funded and administered.