Emergency Management

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the District of Kent are partners in the Kent-Harrison Joint Emergency Program (KHJEP). This program follows the legislative framework of the Emergency and Disaster Management Act and addresses the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery.

The KHJEP covers approximately 174 square kilometres with a permanent population of over 7,500 residents, with thousands more visiting during the peak tourist season.

Together, the municipalities fund a part-time Emergency Program Coordinator, a volunteer Deputy Emergency Program Coordinator, and support a team of volunteers in the Emergency Support Services program. The municipalities also maintain an Emergency Operations Centre as well as backup facilities.

Potential hazards in the Village of Harrison include flooding, wildfires, landslides, and earthquakes. While we cannot predict when disaster will strike, we do have the power to be as prepared as possible. Create an emergency plan, download Alertable, and prepare a Grab and Go bag to ensure that your family is ready.

Mitigation

Mitigation projects are either undertaken by the Emergency Management team or other departments within the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, such as the Operations Department.

Preparedness

Being prepared means:
- Knowing the risks in your community and the most appropriate way to respond to them.
- Have a plan for what your family will do, who will they contact and where will they go in the event of an emergency and practice it regularly.
- Have a 72-hour emergency kit with enough non-perishable food, water, medications, warm clothing and comfort items for all family members. You should also have a ready-to-go kit in case you need to evacuate your home quickly.
The Provincial government offers tips for emergency preparedness, response and recovery on their website. Use this resource to prepare your family, property or small business so that in the event of an emergency you will have a plan and be better able to cope with stress.

The Village has developed an Emergency Preparedness Resident Resource Guide to empower residents in understanding the emergency process and resources in place, as well as tips on how to best prepare yourself and your home. Every emergency situation will be different, however, understanding the programs and procedures in place, and taking steps to ensure personal preparedness will support enhanced resiliency in the face of uncertainty.
Every home should have an emergency kit. It should contain enough food and water for at least three days, up to one week per person, and essential items like a first aid kit, flashlight and radio. Consider having a ‘grab and go' kit in your vehicle and at work as well. The full list of emergency kit supplies is quick and inexpensive to assemble and should be kept within easy reach in your home.
ESS provides short-term services to preserve the emotional and physical well being of evacuees and response workers in emergency situations. Assistance may include food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification. The Village's ESS team of volunteers is coordinated by our KHJEP Coordinator. They participate in training throughout the year. You can find out more about what it looks like to be an ESS volunteer here.
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The Village of Harrison Hot Springs is now using the Alertable notification app to send emergency alerts for local events such as fires, severe weather, earthquakes, floods or other hazards.

We encourage residents and visitors to use Alertable to check for closures, restrictions, and hazards in advance or to get the latest information during an emergency. Alertable notifications will also be posted on our website and social media pages.

Alertable is available for iOS and Android smartphones, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant home devices, and Microsoft Teams and Slack workplace communication products

Alertable Sign up
Download for Android phones
Download for Iphones
The official BC Wildfire Service mobile app provides real-time wildfire information and an interactive map that users can customize to display a variety of fire-related data.

The new app is one of many proactive initiatives undertaken by the BC Wildfire Service to give members of the public, media and stakeholders access to consistent, accurate and timely wildfire information throughout the province. This app complements the BC Wildfire Service’s website and social media channels.

Download for Android Phones
Download for Iphones
BC Wildfire Service
Along with complying with all fire bans and restrictions, homeowners can take steps to play an active role in protecting their property if there was ever a wildfire in our area. Please see below for tips to FireSmart your home:

Tips to FireSmart your home
FireSmartBC

You can also contact the Village's Local FireSmart Representative to request a FREE home ignition zone assessment! Email your request to: [email protected]

Response

During an emergency or disaster, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs' response is guided by eight response goals:

Provide for the safety and health of all responders
Save lives
Reduce suffering
Protect infrastructure
Protect property
Protect the environment
Reduce economic and social losses

Recovery

Recovery measures are initiated as quickly as possible, generally right after life safety issues have been addressed and include:

Temporary housing
Monitoring of health care needs, including psychosocial needs, and continued provision of health services
Environmental impact assessment
Economic recovery
Planning and reconstruction

Additional Information

Freshet is an annual event that occurs when snow and ice from mountains and rivers cause the water levels to rise in the local river system. When the temperature rises too quickly or too early in the spring or there is significant rainfall, the quickly melting snowpack can cause high flow conditions or flooding.

Property owners and residents of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs are responsible for all measures required for flood protection of private property.

Before a flood:
- Find out if you live in a flood-risk area
- Make or purchase personal emergency supply kits for your home, car and work
- Know where your grab-and-go kit is if you have to leave your home quickly
- Keep important papers in watertight containers above ground level and keep a record of your valuables in a safe place
- If flooding is likely in your area, pay attention to the local media or alerting apps for information
- Watch for warning signs such as an increase in the height and intensity of water flows, mudslides, debris in creeks, colour changes in water or leaning trees
- Be aware that the banks of rivers and streams may be unstable and dangerous
- Teach your children about flood safety (e.g. where the emergency kits are and to stay away from fast flowing bodies of water)
- Consider arrangements for your pets
- Check on elderly or disabled neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation
For the latest information on current streamflow conditions and flood modeling forecasts, please visit BC Government's River Forecast Centre.
Residents within the Village of Harrison Hot Springs are required to provide their own sandbags and sand.

The Village may be able to provide a limited supply of sandbags and sand at a suitable location. The quantity will be limited and will be available on a first come first served basis. Staff may set reasonable limits for the number of sandbags to be given for each property.

Once the supply is gone the Village may not be able to supply more sand depending on the situation and threat circumstances.

Sandbagging Tips

Sandbagging is one of the most versatile flood fighting tools and is a simple, effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage, when done correctly. If your property is prone to flooding, please take the necessary measures to protect structures, equipment and materials before flooding is imminent.
- Construct the sandbag dike on high ground, as close as possible to your home or building. By being closer to your home or building, fewer bags will be needed, and the sandbag dike will be less exposed to the stream.
- Sandbagging should also focus along existing flood works or any low spots along dikes for maximum protection.
- Dig a trench one bag in depth and two bags wide as a foundation for the dike structure.
- To be effective, a dike must be three times as wide at its base as it is high.
- Sandbags should be turned right side out and filled half full. they need not be tied shut, just laid overlapping each other.
- The open ends of the sandbags should be facing upstream and/or uphill so that the moving water will not remove the sand from the bags as readily.
- Alternate direction of sandbags with bottom layer, i.e. bottom layer lengthwise with dike, next layer crosswise.
- As individual bags are put in place, walk on bags to tamp them into place to ensure maximum strength. Take care to avoid puncturing the bags.
- The butt ends of the bags should be placed facing the stream, for rows that are perpendicular to the stream.
- Each successive layer should be set back one-half sandbag width on both sides in each additional layer so a completed dike has a triangular cross-section.
- The number of sandbags needed to protect a home or building varies depending on the local topography and the anticipated depth of water.
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It’s important to know what to expect in the event of an emergency that requires an evacuation.

The Village’s EOC team, in conjunction with the KHJEP Coordinators would follow the Province’s Evacuation Operational Guide to manage an evacuation as part of our emergency response.

Important evacuation terms to know:

Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice.

-This is a great time to review your Emergency Plan, pack your grab-and-go-bag and prepare your home.

Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area IMMEDIATELY.

-Take your grab-and go bag, follow official directions and check in at a reception centre (this information will be communicated in your evacuation notice and may include facilities in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs or nearby communities)

Tactical Evacuation: This happens when a sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings. Tactical evacuations are often coordinated by the RCMP with assistance from other agencies including Search & Rescue.

Evacuation Rescind: The risk to life and safety has now passed.

-You are permitted to return home.

Risks and Dangers of Not Evacuating

Receiving an Evacuation Order can be an emotional experience. You may 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
Additional resources can be found at: Emergency evacuee guidance for the public - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
B.C. is a seismically active province. Take steps to ensure you are prepared.
- If you feel the ground shake or receive an earthquake early warning alert, take action to Drop, Cover and Hold On.
- Prepare your home by securing cabinets and large furniture. Ensure pictures and mirrors are away from beds and couches.
- Build an emergency kit with at least 2 weeks of supplies to keep you and your loved ones comfortable and safe
For more info, please read Prepared BC's Earthquake and Tsunami Guide

Alerts

Mitigation

Preparedness

Response

Recovery

Additional Information