Evacuation
Information
Ordering an evacuation of all or part of an affected area is a very
serious step and requires detailed planning. In British Columbia, the
Emergency Program Act (1993) permits the head of a local authority to
declare a State of Local Emergency. A Declaration allows the local authority
to order an evacuation should it be absolutely necessary. There are several
other statutes (Fire Services Act, Forest Act, Health Act, Waste Management
Act and Mines Act) that can also be used to order an evacuation.
The evacuation procedure normally follows these three stages:
Stage 1 - Evacuation Alert
Authorities will alert the population at risk of the potential for evacuation
because of the danger of possible loss of life. People in the affected
area should be prepared to evacuate the area if and when an Evacuation
Order is issued. An Evacuation Alert can be transmitted by:
- door-to-door campaign with pamphlets delivered;
- radio and/or television broadcast;
- sirens and mobile public address announcements (RCMP and
fire);
- telephone calls; and
- electronic media (internet/email).
Even at this stage, plans are in place to move persons with special needs,
tourists and voluntary evacuees.
Stage 2 - Evacuation Order
LEAVE THE AREA NOW! The Evacuation Order will include the time the Order
is in effect and the boundaries of the area to be evacuated.
All persons in the affected area will be ordered, in the interest of
their own safety, to leave the area. The RCMP will enforce the Evacuation
Order.
Stage 3 - All Clear
When the emergency is under control and it is declared safe to return
to the area, a retraction of the Evacuation Order will be implemented
by issuing an All Clear. | 
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