Skip to content

Responders visit homes to test Squamish evac plan

Exercise first for District of Squamish, Squamish First Nation
evac exercise
Responders pass on information to Brackendale resident Jim Sims as part of the evacuation exercise Saturday.

Emergency responders joined forces to give evacuation notices due to flood concerns to residents in Brackendale and the Cheakamus Reserve Saturday morning.

It was only a practice to test evacuation plans for the Squamish area in the event of a real emergency, though the recent weather made the exercise all the more believable.

The project, known as “Operation Gumboots,” represents a first joint collaboration to test evacuation plans between the District of Squamish and the Squamish First Nation, while Whistler and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District were also involved in the planning. Responders included the fire department, police, search and rescue and the Squamish Nation Peace Keepers.

The exercise was a chance for the responders to see how they can improve their communication methods during emergencies.

“It allows us to get the right message to the right people at the right time,” fire chief Bill Stoner said.

Councillor Carla George of the Squamish Nation provided a reminder of the human cost in disaster situations, speaking about what it means to lose loved ones – which is what happened as members of her family died during a creek washout 35 years ago. She spoke about how she learned as a girl the importance of the last words spoken to people and what the word “tragedy” meant.

“It rang so true to me to have that understanding and comprehension as a young person,” she said.

Christine Sommers, CEO and co-founder of ePACT, which developed the communication system to alert residents, spoke about the process.

“You’ll actually get an email that will walk you through the steps,” she said.

Typically, a community is lucky if 10 per cent of residents register for emergency evacuation notices, but already 12 per cent of the local community has signed up in only one month.

“We really look forward to signing up more residents going forward,” she said.

Other speakers at the media conference included Councillor Susan Chapelle as acting mayor, Councillor Chris Lewis from the Squamish Nation and MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and MLAs Jordan Sturdy and Naomi Yamamoto.

Following the media conference, first responders went in groups door to door through the areas in the flood zone to notify residents of an alert and provide information. In all, 75 emergency personnel set out to visit a total of 660 homes over the course of a few hours.

As well, the responders could use a phone app to record addresses where people were notified, not home or refused to evacuate, all of which helps officials stay on top of the emergency situations.

The Squamish Nation had also set up a reception centre at Totem Hall to act as a hub for people affected to get information or emergency services.

Visitors on Saturday were presented with scenarios based on a profile of someone that might live in or near the affected areas, as well as their situation – whether they needed medication, had to get in touch with family or needed food or a place to stay. As part of the process, they could be registered for services if they live in the evacuated area.

The Squamish Nation’s Rose Williams, reception centre manager, said the site is well-suited for the role as it is near the highway, as well as the hospital and a fire department, is on high ground and has amenities, a backup generator and space where people can gather in the event of a large-scale emergency.

“It’s really important that they come here,” she said, emphasizing the need for the whole community to work together. “We are all part of the one community here.”

Sign up for alerts at squamish.ca/alert. Residents are also reminded to drop, cover and hold on during the Great Shakeout earthquake drill on Oct. 20 at 10:20 a.m.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks