Emergency Services

The Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) was tabled on October 3, 2023. The Act has been designed to address many recent challenges, including the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters and emergencies. It also acknowledges and incorporates several new commitments and principles, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples and B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act; the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and its “all-of-society” approach that recognizes the role played by all stakeholders; and, a focus on all four phases of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery) as well as the role of climate change.

The new Act will have significant impacts on the UBCM membership, as it includes many new and enhanced local government responsibilities. Key changes include requirements to prepare risk assessments for all potential hazards; emergency management plans that address all four phases of emergency management (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery); and business continuity plans that ensure the local government and essential services are able to be delivered during an emergency. Local governments will also need to consider the input from other local authorities when developing their plans and assessments. The Act confirms that managing hazards on Crown land will be a local government duty.

There will also be a requirement for local governments to consult and cooperate with neighbouring Indigenous governing bodies during all phases of emergency management. Examples include: when local governments are defining areas for cooperation and consultation; in developing risk assessments and emergency management plans; and, when involved in response and recovery phases.

Key provisions and policy shifts are outlined in the Province's technical paper.

EDMA received Royal Assent on November 8. The Province has elected to take a phased approach to implementation, with some provisions (e.g., new emergency management plan and risk assessment provisions) not coming into force until associated regulations are developed. Those provisions that came into effect immediately include:

• The increased length of a SOLE and state of provincial emergency;
• The ability to declare a recovery period;
• Response and recovery provisions;
• Post-emergency reporting requirements;
• Requirement to engage with Indigenous governing bodies regarding areas for consultation and cooperation;
• Authority to create or join a multijurisdictional emergency management organization (one of the new formal agreement options). 

As part of the phased implementation of the new Act, the Province will be seeking to introduce a number of new regulations in the near future.

Consistent with endorsed resolutions, and requests from the the UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance and UBCM Executive, UBCM continues to seek a long-term local government funding and capacity-building framework to address new and enhanced responsibilities.

Articles
Briefing on EDMA Committee Work (Oct. 2024)
Summary of Input: EDMA Regulations for Local Authorities (July 2024)
Guidance Provided for Indigenous Engagement Required by EDMA (May 2024)
Invitation: Advisory Committee on Emergency Management Regulations (May 2024)
Long-term funding and capacity building plan needed for local government (Dec. 2023)
Deadline extended for emergency management regulations input (Dec. 2023)
Feedback sought on emergency management regulations (Oct. 2023)
Input sought on new Disaster Financial Assistance regulation (Oct. 2023)
Province tables Emergency and Disaster Management Act (Oct. 2023)
New emergency management responsibilities for local governments (Sept. 2023)
New emergency management legislation coming October 3rd (Sept. 2023)
Webinars on new emergency management legislation (July 2023)
Emergency management legislation delayed to fall 2023 (June 2023)
Revised timeline for emergency management legislation (June 2022)
Emergency management legislation modernization (Apr. 2022)
Emergency Management Legislation Expected in Fall 2022 (Sept. 2021)
Province Releases EPA Follow-Up Report (Sept. 2020)
Emergency Program Act Review Update (July 2020)
Overview of Local Government EPA Feedback (Feb. 2020)
Emergency Program Act Input (Jan 2020)
Emergency Program Act Discussion Paper (Oct 2019)
UBCM, EMBC Partnering on EPA Modernization (Sept 2019)

Correspondence
UBCM to Minister Bowinn Ma re EDMA Regulations (March 2024)
Minister Bowinn Ma to UBCM re Emergency Management Legislation (April 2023)
Minister Mike Farnworth to UBCM Membership re EPA Discussion Paper (Oct. 2019)

Documents
Technical Paper - B.C.'s Modernized Emergency Management Legislation (July 2023)
Provincial 'What We Heard' Report - Modernizing B.C.'s Emergency Management Legislation (Aug. 2020)
UBCM Overview of Local Government Feedback to the Provincial Discussion Paper (Feb. 2020)
Provincial Discussion Paper - Modernizing B.C.'s Emergency Management Legislation (Oct. 2019)

On April 3, 2024, UBCM hosted a webinar for local governments to receive up-to-date projections for the coming hazard season; review hazard and mitigation resources currently available to communities; and hear updates on provincial emergency preparedness initiatives. 

Participants received a detailed presentation from Environment and Climate Change Canada, which included an overview of seasonal conditions to date, and projections for spring and summer 2024. Subsequently, four shorter presentations were delivered regarding specific climate-related hazards: drought, flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat. The second half of the webinar included a presentation from EMCR on the Province's broader hazard assessment and mitigation initiatives, including its ongoing Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment and All-Hazards planning; and, a verbal presentation from UBCM's Local Government Program Services team regarding hazard assessment and mitigation funding opportunities.

Articles
Webinar: BC's 2024 Climate Hazard Forecast (March 2024)

Documents / Resources
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Seasonal Outlook: Flood, Wildfire, Drought & Extreme Heat Spring/Summer 2024
B.C. Drought Preparedness - Province of BC drought response 2024 overview
B.C. Flood Strategy Update

In 2021, the Province began a process to create a B.C. flood strategy to improve flood resilience across B.C. The Province’s vision and options for improving flood resilience were presented as part of a 2022 intentions paper, From Flood Risk to Resilience in B.C. The paper proposed a strategic framework focusing on four program areas: understanding flood risks; strengthening flood risk governance; enhancing flood preparedness, response and recovery; and, investing in flood resilience. While acknowledging that local governments are seeking additional provincial funding and support to address their emergency management responsibilities, the intentions paper did not identify any long-term funding mechanisms or opportunities.

In March, the Province introduced From Flood Risk to Resilience: A B.C. Flood Strategy to 2035. The Flood Strategy outlines the Province’s direction for flood management and includes 25 concepts to improve flood resilience. The Flood Strategy continues to re-enforce the Province’s position that key flood management duties be assigned to local governments, as part of a locally-led approach. While the UBCM membership has consistently requested that the Province be established as the diking authority in all local governments, the Flood Strategy confirms that the Province will not assume this role. 

Articles
Input Requested: Provincial Flood Guidelines (Oct. 2024)
Province introduces B.C. Flood Strategy (Mar. 2024)
Provincial flood strategy intentions paper (Nov. 2022)
New funding for flood mitigation (July 2022)

Documents
From Flood Risk to Resilience: A B.C. Flood Strategy to 2035 (Mar. 2024)
Summary of First Nations and LG Engagements on the B.C. Flood Strategy Intentions Paper (Mar. 2023)
From Flood Risk to Resilience in B.C.: An Intentions Paper (Nov. 2022)
 

In 2022, the Province developed the BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS), focusing on public health and safety during heat events. BC HARS categorizes heat events as heat warnings or extreme heat emergencies, with thresholds varying across health regions. It also includes a series of non-binding public health recommendations developed for specific stakeholders (e.g. provincial ministries, local authorities) on how to respond before, during and after a heat event. Should a heat warning or extreme heat emergency occur, the Province and local governments may consider these recommendations to inform appropriate action that is based on their individual heat plans and processes. This framework also includes use of the national Alert Ready system to issue public alerts for extreme heat emergencies.

Implementation of BC HARS followed the announcement of a new CEPF funding stream to support local government extreme heat risk mapping, assessment and planning. An Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide has also been developed by the Province, to help individuals prepare their homes and stay safe.

In 2023, following the development of the BC HARS system, UBCM was invited to participate on the BC Health Effects of Anomalous Temperatures (BC HEAT) Coordinating Committee. This Committee was originally established in January 2022 to support planning and response efforts related to public health impacts for significant heat events in British Columbia. The objective of the committee is to ensure public health coordination around extreme hot weather. As of October 2022, objectives and priorities of the committee have been refined to integrate lessons observed from the 2022 summer heat season and to provide further support of the provincial implementation of the BC Heat Alert and Response System (HARS). In addition to extreme heat, this Committee now addresses cold preparedness and extreme cold. Membership on this Committee includes BCCDC, Ministry of Health, Health Authorities, Health Emergency Management BC, BC Emergency Health Services, and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer.

Articles
Heat preparedness webinar (May 2023)
Province seeks feedback on heat alert system (Mar. 2023)
New funding for extreme temperature planning (Mar. 2023)
Heat mapping tool (Aug. 2022)
Stakeholders discuss heat preparedness (July 2022)
Heat preparedness webinar (July 2022)
New provincial heat preparedness plan (June 2022)
New funding for extreme heat planning (May 2022)

Documents / Resources
Severe Winter Weather and Storm Preparedness Guide (Oct. 2023)
Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide (updated May 2023)
B.C. Provincial Heat Alert and Response System (May 2023)
Province of BC - Financial Assistance & Eligibility Assessment for Heat Emergency (June 2022)
Province of BC - BC Heat Response Supports (July 2022) 

In 2016 the Province passed, but did not bring into force, the new Fire Safety Act, to replace the Fire Services Act.  Among other things, the Act includes a risk-based compliance monitoring system to identify high risk buildings; and an administrative penalty system intended to encourage owner compliance (for municipalities only). Of specific interest to regional districts, the Act will require them to appoint fire inspectors and investigators to provide fire services to unincorporated areas of the province. UBCM and regional districts have expressed concerns about these statutory obligations.

As a result, UBCM, through the Single Standard of Fire Safety Working Group (SSFSWG), has been working with the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and regional districts, to implement one standard of fire safety across B.C., in a manner that adequately addresses the challenges that regional districts have identified: lack of expertise, capacity and funding to take on these new services. This work has led to the development of an approach whereby the OFC will support or conduct inspections and investigations when requested by the regional district, in order to fulfil requirements under the Act. This approach has been supported by the Province, UBCM and the Working Group. An associated procedures document is being established to guide regional districts who wish to access this support from the OFC for conducting fire inspections and investigations.

Transition provisions within the Fire Safety Act will provide additional time to evaluate this approach and any related issues. Recognizing that this approach is not what was proposed in the Act, and is only possible by using the transition provisions, UBCM and the local government representatives on the Working Group have requested that the Act be amended once it has been brought into force to ensure that the OFC’s role in supporting fire inspections and investigations becomes formalized in the Act, thereby providing certainty to members that this is not a temporary, but permanent solution.

For further details on the new Fire Safety Act and its implications for regional districts, please review the recent backgrounder.

Articles
Fire Safety Act Information Update (Aug. 2024)
Fire Safety Act Comes Into Force After Consultation (Aug. 2024)
Fire Safety Act update: UBCM Convention (Sept. 2023)

Documents
Fire Safety Act: Questions and Answers (updated Dec. 2024)
Fire Safety Act RD Fire Inspections and Investigations - Procedures (July 2024)
Fire Safety Act update: 2024 EA Directors' Forum (Jan. 2024)
Fire Safety Act Backgrounder (Jan. 2024)
Fire Safety Act update: 2022 UBCM Convention (Sept. 2022)

B.C.’s 911 emergency communications system is built around multiple Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that conduct call taking and other associated duties, although 99% of calls are handled by E-Comm 911. Legislation puts the responsibility on local governments to decide if they want 911 services; and, if so, they must pay for those services.

Over the years, local governments and other stakeholders have identified a number of issues, including the need for funding to address upgrades and operational issues; a governance model to ensure stakeholders have input into the development and administration of the 911 system, including the Next Generation 911 framework; and, standards to provide for an equal level of service throughout the province. Last year, the UBCM membership endorsed a resolution that called for the provincial government to work with UBCM to address these issues through implementation of a call answer levy on cellular devices, governance model, service standards (without increasing local government costs), and integrating mental health call options within the 911 framework. In response to the endorsed resolution, the Province has indicated it is reviewing UBCM’s recommendations. The UBCM Executive, in 2022, also endorsed a motion seeking for the Province to take a greater leadership role in 911 service delivery.

As ongoing issues persist, the March 4, 2025 deadline to implement Next Generation 911 (NG911) infrastructure and services is looming. Components of NG911 include improved location accuracy, text messaging, picture messaging, audio and video streaming, and integration of additional data from diverse sources. As part of the migration to NG911, the Province has provided $60 million for local government costs, to be administered through UBCM. Although the deadline to implement the new Internet-Protocol based system is March 4, 2025, only one component (real time texting) has thus far been mandated by the CRTC. Last fall, UBCM organized a webinar (see video recording below) intended to help local governments manage new duties associated with NG911.

Correspondence
Minister Mike Farnworth to UBCM re 911 Modernization (Dec. 2022)
UBCM to Minister Mike Farnworth re 911 Modernization (Oct. 2022)
Deputy Solicitor General to UBCM re: Status of 911 Legislation (Mar. 2020)
Minister Farnworth to UBCM re: CAL on cellular devices (Dec. 2019)
UBCM to Minister Mike Farnworth re: CAL on cellular devices (Oct 2019)
Province to UBCM re: 911 Emergency Communications Service Delivery (Oct 2018)

Articles
Webinar: Next Generation 911 GIS Data Standards (Nov. 2023)
Provincial Funding for NG911 Implementation (Mar. 2023)
UBCM Seeks Improvements to 911 Service Delivery (Oct. 2022)
911 Emergency Communications Update (July 2020)
UBCM Re-Affirms Support for 911 CAL (Nov 2019)

Documents / Resources - UBCM Webinar on NG911 Mapping