Articles related to emergency management advocacy, legislation, policy, and relevant news.
An independent review of 911 emergency communications service delivery in BC has concluded that the Province should “[implement] a structured oversight framework and [take] more responsibility across the sector.” This comes approximately one year after Premier David Eby, in response to a UBCM resolution and local government concerns, announced an internal review of E-Comm and 911 service.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) has launched free training courses to help designated local government fire inspectors and fire investigators meet training standards. Under the Fire Safety Act, which came into force on August 1, 2024, local governments are required to designate fire inspectors and investigators who meet specific training standards.
On November 4, the Province released its British Columbia Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment (DCRRA) report. The report assesses how communities across BC may be impacted by six hazards: riverine flooding, coastal flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, drought and water scarcity, and earthquakes. It also examines how these hazards may change with climate impacts, and how they may affect natural and built environments, the economy, governance and health.
The Province has announced that the timeline is being extended to introduce a new regulation for local authorities, under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act. The Honourable Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, speaking at a Convention session, Climate Hazards & Housing: Risk, Resilience, and Local Action, delivered the announcement that new regulation will not take effect until early 2027.
Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Kelly Greene, has responded to UBCM’s inquiry about what government is responsible when homes are deemed unsafe due to natural hazards. However, the response did not cla
The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) has extended the deadline for designated local government fire inspectors and investigators to meet established training standards to September 30, 2026 (from July 31, 2025), as it continues to develop curricula that meet the established learning objectives. New training programs will be offered in December 2025.
The BC Government has amended the Local Government Act, enabling regional districts to designate fire inspectors and investigators and establish fire inspection and fire investigation services without requiring a service establishing bylaw. These amendments, which came into force on May 29, 2025, are directly related to responsibilities under the Fire Safety Act, which came into effect on August 1, 2024.
UBCM has sought clarification from the Province on its position regarding the roles and responsibilities of local governments for financial assistance and property buyouts when homes are deemed unsafe due to disaster risk.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA), supported by the Province of BC, is seeking local government and First Nations representatives to participate on a one-year technical subcommittee (TSC) that will develop modernized Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines for BC. Individuals interested in joining the TSC are asked to contact Jeff Menard, Program Manager, Canadian Standards Association, as soon as possible.
Local governments are invited to provide input on the development of regulations for local authorities under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) at one of three online engagement sessions this April. These webinars, administered by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) and hosted by UBCM, will give local governments an opportunity to review, validate, and add to key issues and questions identified by the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) on EDMA regulations.