Emergency situations can sometimes require the evacuation of people, along with their pets, livestock, and farm animals, from their homes and workplaces. Effective evacuations depend on advance planning and strong community awareness to ensure everyone can move to safety quickly and efficiently. Developing and understanding evacuation routes is an essential part of building community emergency preparedness.
Witset First Nation (WIFN) is developing an Evacuation Route Plan and is seeking the input from those who live and work in the community. Your feedback will ensure that the evacuation routes reflect real local conditions and community needs.
The evacuation plan will be guided by best practises in emergency planning and informed by input from local emergency teams and first responders (RCMP, emergency medical services and fire), the Band Council and WIFN Staff, subject matter experts, and community members.
This survey is intended for people who live or work within Witset First Nation. The information collected will support the development of an effective and community informed evacuation plan that enhances safety across the region.
If you have any questions about the evacuation route planning project, please contact Witset Emergency Management, Emergency Program Coordinator Chris Turner at chris.turner@witset.ca or call 250-847-2133 ext. 241.
Section 1: Evacuation Preparedness
The decision to evacuate all or part of Witset First Nation is never taken lightly. If an emergency poses a threat to the safety and well-being of people, pets and/or livestock, evacuations could be necessary, and in these situations, you could play a key role.
The following questions are designed to help better understand the level of emergency preparedness in our reserves today.
Section 2: Evacuating Pets
During evacuations, pets should be taken with you, along with any food, documentation (like vaccination records), supplies, medications and leashes/leads. Additionally, each animal should evacuate with an appropriate carrier or portable enclosure. Planning to evacuate with your pets will save time and ensure you can find alternative shelter to accommodate your furry, finned, or scaled friends
Section 3: Evacuating Farm Animals and Livestock
Farm animals and livestock pose unique challenges when it comes to planning for emergencies. If you are required to evacuate livestock, planning can save time, reduce stress for owners and animals and ensure safe accommodation can be found for the types of animals in your care.
Section 4: Additional Considerations
We understand that not all people have the same needs during an evacuation, some may face barriers to evacuating quickly and safely. The following questions gather information to better support people with additional needs.
Section 5: Evacuation Concerns – Evacuation Events
When developing evacuation plans it is important to understand the most likely types of emergency events for the local area. This information can help us create public education and information programs.
Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey! As a token of our appreciation, you’re invited to enter a draw for a chance to win a gift card. If you’d like to participate, please share your name, email address and phone number below. Your information will only be used for the prize draw and will not be shared or used for other purposes.