East Kootenay residents are being asked to help shape regional emergency planning by completing a public survey before Oct. 25.
The Regional District of East Kootenay is completing a regional Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis, or HRVA, to identify current and future hazards, risks and vulnerabilities across the region.
The RDEK is leading the project through its East Kootenay Emergency Management Program.
The analysis will include climate change projections and examine risks for participating First Nations, seven partner municipalities and rural areas across the region.
“The HRVA will incorporate the information with regional rural data to help us understand which hazards are most likely to affect our region, how serious their impacts could be, and which areas may be most at risk,” says RDEK Protective Services Manager Christina Carbrey.
The survey asks residents about hazard impacts they have experienced, community vulnerabilities, measures already in place to reduce risk and additional actions that may be needed.
Carbrey said the project takes a collaborative approach to understanding and responding to emergencies.
“It represents a regional, collaborative approach to emergency management and reflects a shared goal of allowing communities and residents to make risk-based choices to address vulnerabilities; mitigate hazards; and prepare for, respond to, and recover from various hazards.” said Carbrey.
The findings will help communities prepare for future emergencies, respond when they happen and recover afterward.
“Information provided in the survey will help inform emergency planning, resilience efforts, and future risk reduction measures, so we encourage people to take a few minutes to complete the survey,” adds Carbrey.
The survey is open until Oct. 25 at engage.rdek.bc.ca/hrva.
Anyone without computer access can contact the RDEK Communications Department to request a paper copy or complete the survey by phone.
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