Evacuation Route Planning - City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and RDN Electoral Area G

Emergencies sometimes require people, as well as their pets, livestock and farm animals, to be evacuated from their homes and workplaces. Evacuations require advanced planning and widespread understanding from community members, to occur quickly and safely. Planning for evacuation routes is a normal part of the emergency planning process.

The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and the Regional District of Nanaimo are working together to develop an evacuation route plan for City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and RDN Electoral Area G, including input from the people who live and work in those communities.

About this Project

What is the evacuation route planning?
Emergency situations sometimes require people, as well as their pets, livestock and farm animals, to be evacuated from their homes and workplaces. Evacuations require advanced planning and widespread understanding from community members, to occur quickly and safely. Planning for evacuation routes is a normal part of the emergency planning process.

Evacuation route planning involves:

  • Evaluation and identification of suitable evacuation routes and their capacity for various hazards
  • Understanding of local hazard impacts including compounding timelines for efficient evacuations
  • Development of standardized public notifications through alert/order templates to create cohesive and concise messaging during emergencies.

When did this project begin?
The project began in February and will end in June 2025.

Who is managing the project?
The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo are working together to develop the evacuation route plan.

What geographic area does this project cover?
This evacuation route planning project focuses on City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and the RDN Electoral Area G (Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum, and Dashwood).

Do you have a question about evacuation planning? Ask it here on our Questions tab for all to see, we will respond to share info.

Emergencies sometimes require people, as well as their pets, livestock and farm animals, to be evacuated from their homes and workplaces. Evacuations require advanced planning and widespread understanding from community members, to occur quickly and safely. Planning for evacuation routes is a normal part of the emergency planning process.

The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and the Regional District of Nanaimo are working together to develop an evacuation route plan for City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and RDN Electoral Area G, including input from the people who live and work in those communities.

About this Project

What is the evacuation route planning?
Emergency situations sometimes require people, as well as their pets, livestock and farm animals, to be evacuated from their homes and workplaces. Evacuations require advanced planning and widespread understanding from community members, to occur quickly and safely. Planning for evacuation routes is a normal part of the emergency planning process.

Evacuation route planning involves:

  • Evaluation and identification of suitable evacuation routes and their capacity for various hazards
  • Understanding of local hazard impacts including compounding timelines for efficient evacuations
  • Development of standardized public notifications through alert/order templates to create cohesive and concise messaging during emergencies.

When did this project begin?
The project began in February and will end in June 2025.

Who is managing the project?
The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo are working together to develop the evacuation route plan.

What geographic area does this project cover?
This evacuation route planning project focuses on City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and the RDN Electoral Area G (Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum, and Dashwood).

Do you have a question about evacuation planning? Ask it here on our Questions tab for all to see, we will respond to share info.

  • Public Engagement Complete

    Thank you to all who participated in recent events and survey in May. Evacuation route planning input is now being reviewed as the plan is drafted. Once the plan is complete, it will be forwarded to local governments for approval and once approved, the evacuation plan will be shared by each local government.

  • Residents Invited to Provide Input on the Evacuation Route Planning for RDN - Electoral Area G, City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach

    SURVEY CLOSED MAY 31

    April 30, 2025

    NEWS RELEASE

    The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach are working together to develop an evacuation route plan for RDN Electoral Area G (Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum and Dashwood), the City and the Town. Identifying local knowledge of hazards and potential evacuation barriers is vital to effective route planning. As part of the planning process, impacted and affected residents and groups are invited to provide their input through a survey until May 31, 2025. The feedback gathered will be used to help create a practical and effective evacuation plan.

    Wildfires are one of the highest-ranking hazards faced by the region. Given this growing concern, it is critical to develop an operational evacuation route plan, especially considering recent and potential seasonal drought, continuously warming climate and the many single road access communities that exist within the project area. The planning process will consider many factors, including risk areas, population size and demographics, transportation resources and traffic management. Other considerations include evacuation route availability and capacity, communications, animal welfare, identification of vulnerable populations, immediate emergency actions, response and evacuation times, and time of year.

    A Community Emergency Preparedness grant of $88,500 from the Government of British Columbia is fully funding this evacuation route planning project. The funding enables the project partners to identify strategies and alternate evacuation methods for a coordinated multi-agency evacuation response.

    For more information about the project, evacuation planning resources and to sign up to receive project updates, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/evac-route-planning-eag-cop-toqb. To provide input through the survey until May 31, Electoral Area G residents can complete the survey on the evacuation project page. City of Parksville can complete the survey at parksville.ca and Town of Qualicum Beach residents can complete the survey at bit.ly/EvacuationRoutePlanningTQB.

    Residents can also learn more and provide feedback at in-person pop-up community engagement sessions in May. Visit the evacuation project page for a list of events the project team will be attending.

    Quotes

    “There are several unique challenges when moving residents and animals to an area of safety during an emergency, particularly within an area that has both geographical and transportation route challenges. By developing a plan that identifies efficient and safe evacuation routes, we can help residents be better prepared to respond to an emergency evacuation.”

    Lehann Wallace, Electoral Area G Director, Regional District of Nanaimo

    “An evacuation route plan plays a key role in this region’s overall approach to emergency management and is a priority for our governments. Development of a plan will enhance emergency response and evacuation measures and assist in realizing emergency preparedness goals for our region. Although only one part of being prepared for potential disasters and emergencies, this project will help bring awareness to the importance of being prepared.”

    Doug O’Brien, Mayor, City of Parksville

    “Community safety depends on preparation, and evacuation planning is a critical part of that. With wildfire risks increasing, I encourage everyone in Qualicum Beach and the surrounding region to share their local knowledge and be part of shaping a plan that could save lives in an emergency.”

    Teunis Westbroek, Mayor, Town of Qualicum Beach

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Rebecca Taylor
    Communications Coordinator
    Regional District of Nanaimo
    250-713-2400
    engagement@rdn.bc.ca

    Deb Tardiff
    Manager of Communications
    City of Parksville
    250-954-3073
    communications@parksville.ca

    Town of Qualicum Beach
    250-752-6921
    media@qualicumbeach.com

Page last updated: 17 Jun 2025, 09:20 AM