FAQs

Making yourself aware and being prepared for evacuations can be overwhelming. Local first responders can't work on incidents until life and safety issues are under control - that means you. Resisting evacuation consumes first responders' precious time.

If you receive an evacuation alert, be prepared to leave on short notice. If you receive an evacuation order, evacuate immediately. Delay can result in roadways being blocked by debris, flood water, smoke or rescue equipment. Listen to emergency broadcasts, pay attention to notifications and follow the directions of emergency personnel.

Receiving an Evacuation Order can be an emotional experience. You could be reluctant to leave your home and community. However, choosing to remain in an area that is under an Evacuation Order puts yourself, your family and first responders in danger: 

• Evacuation routes can change or become impassible 
• Services, utilities and businesses that you rely on daily may be shut down 
• Help may not be able to reach an evacuated area because of a risk to their own safety or access is blocked

In other jurisdictions, fatalities have occurred when people chose to remain behind or waited too long to leave. For example, according to a report from Australia’s Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, 31% of the 552 wildfire-related fatalities in that country from 1956 to 2008 were the result of people evacuating too late after an evacuation order was issued. Another 26% of the deaths were related to people attempting to defend properties against an advancing wildfire. 

Depending on the severity of the situation, an Evacuation Alert or Order may be issued. It's important to understand the difference and to always follow the advice and direction of your local authority.

• Evacuation Alert - be ready to leave on short notice. 
• Evacuation Order - you are at risk. Leave the area immediately. 
• Tactical evacuation - may be necessary when there is an immediate need to protect people, animals and property from a hazard impact, and there is minimal time for warning or preparation. These types of evacuations are often coordinated by the local fire department and may be supported by RCMP or Search and Rescue agencies, with assistance from other agencies. 
• Strategic Evacuation - used when time allows for planning and written declarations of states of local emergencies and evacuation orders. This type of evacuation often follows as support to the tactical evacuation started by local first responders.
• Evacuation rescinded - the risk to life and safety has now passed. 

During an Evacuation Order, evacuees should do the following:

• Leave the area immediately. Choosing to remain puts yourself and others in danger. 
• Follow instructions provided on where to go.
• Visit your local government’s emergency program website for update
• Visit EmergencyInfoBC for news and updates. 
• Wait for the evacuation to be rescinded and for communication that it is safe, before returning home. 
• You may be told to create a profile to access emergency support services (ESS).

During an evacuation alert, you should:

• Prepare for a potential evacuation by gathering the personal supplies and belongings required for a minimum of three days (72 hours)
• Gather everything you need for people and animals
• Consider evacuating the vulnerable persons in your household
• It may be a good time to relocate livestock and farm animals
• Be ready to leave on short notice

Information about reception centres and other emergency supports will be included in local government emergency notifications and website.  Only travel to support locations/reception centres designated by your local government or Indigenous governing body. Supports will not be available if you travel to a non-designated location. Evacuees should first look to use their own resources, such as insurance, to support themselves. If you don't have your own resources, the local Emergency Support Services program may be able to assist. You must connect with a responder at an ESS designated reception centre to receive supports.

*If you have access to a mobile phone, you can create a profile for ESS in advance to help speed up the process at a reception centre.

Whether you need to leave your home due to a wildfire, rising flood waters, or other emergency reasons, you should be aware of Evacuation Alerts and Orders, what they mean and how to prepare yourself and your family. Depending on the nature of the emergency, BC has several legal acts which authorize evacuations: 

• BC permits the head of a local authority (i.e. Mayor of City of Parksville) to declare a State of Local Emergency which then allows that local authority to order an evacuation should it be absolutely necessary.
• An Incident Commander at the scene of an emergency can action a tactical evacuation on an as-needed basis for people at immediate risk from to life and safety due to emergency situations that occur with little or no warning. Support from the local authority Emergency Operations Centre will take place at some time after the start of a tactical evacuation. 
• An evacuation can also be ordered by the Minister responsible for the Emergency and Disaster Management Act if a provincial State of Emergency is declared. 
• An order to evacuate can be given by the BC Fire Commissioner under the Fire Safety Act and Forest Act.
• Ministry responsible for Health - the minister or local health board - Health Act - Chapter 161, Sec. 60/62. 
• Ministry responsible for the Environment - Minister or designate - Waste Management Act.
• Ministry responsible for Energy Mines - Energy and Minerals Division - Mines Act Health Safety and Reclamation Code - Subject: page 3Source: Emergency evacuee guidance for the public (Province of British Columbia)