By Cheryl Jahn

Local appointed to wildfire task force

Oct 4, 2023 | 1:38 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – People and communities in British Columbia will be better prepared for emergencies and disasters under the most comprehensive and progressive emergency management framework in Canada with the introduction of the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, and the launch of an expert task force on emergencies. And a familiar face is part of that task.

The Manager of Emergency Programs for the City, Tanya Spooner is one of the 14-member task force. Communities throughout B.C. are dealing with the adverse effects of climate change, including more frequent and severe weather events that threaten homes, businesses and infrastructure. When passed, the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act will implement a more proactive approach to emergency management with an emphasis on disaster risk reduction to safeguard people and communities. Complementing the legislation, the emergency task force, made up of 14 experts in emergency and wildfire management, will begin work immediately and provide action-oriented recommendations on enhancing emergency preparedness and response in advance of the 2024 wildfire season.

“A changing climate means people and communities around B.C. are feeling the effects of extreme weather emergencies like never before,” said Premier David Eby. “We’re taking action with a strong and proactive approach to emergency management, one that will be guided by an expert task force with representatives from First Nations, local government and more. Our focus is on supporting those on the front lines of a disaster and quickly applying the lessons we’ve learned to better prepare for future emergencies.”

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The new legislation, introduced on Tuesday, incorporates lessons learned from recent emergencies and reflects modern risks and realities, including climate change and transmissible diseases, such as COVID-19. The legislation adheres to the United Nations’ best practices for disaster risk reduction and incorporates all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

“Over the last number of years, British Columbians have experienced extreme climate disasters and we’ve learned a lot about how we can be better prepared for emergencies to keep people safe,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “From this summer’s wildfires and drought to the atmospheric rivers and extreme heat of 2021, we know first-hand how climate change can affect our lives. This act modernizes how our province approaches emergency management by putting a greater emphasis on preparing for and mitigating the impacts of climate-related emergencies before they happen – keeping people and communities safer from disasters.”

The team will identify lessons learned from the 2023 wildfire season, and opportunities to improve preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery to better support people on the front lines of emergencies. Task force members will draw on their individual expertise, and will engage with front-line workers, First Nations, local governments and key industries, such as agriculture and tourism that experienced challenges during the 2023 wildfire season.

The task force will deliver recommendations to the government in early 2024 to address key priorities related to emergency management and wildfire management.