More topics

Premier's Expert Task Force on Emergencies

Last updated on April 4, 2024

The Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies was established in October 2023 to provide strategic advice and action-oriented recommendations on how the Province can better support people on the front lines of emergencies, enhance support delivery for evacuees and apply lessons has learned in preparation for the next emergency.

Goals

The task force is focused on:

  • Enhancing BC Wildfire Predictive Services current technology, including the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies
  • Planning for incorporation of local volunteer resources for wildfire response
  • Improving integration of rural and municipal fire departments into the BC Wildfire Service response in the wildland urban interface
  • Updating the Wildfire Emergency Response Strategy for B.C.
  • Strengthening community participation in all disciplines of FireSmart BC™
  • Expanding opportunities in wildfire prevention programs
  • Improving Evacuees Registration Assistance (ERA) tool to provide enhanced support for evacuees
  • Modernizing community delivery of Emergency Support Services, including post-wildfire support
  • Identifying opportunities to assist First Nations and local authorities improve evacuation orders and alerts awareness and compliance

Recommendations report

The task force met 13 times between October 2023 and February 2024. They also carried out targeted engagement with over 60 emergency management partners and stakeholders that were impacted by recent emergency events, and with other groups that offered to share their perspectives. This document summarizes the consensus advice and recommendations provided by the task force throughout this process.

Read the Summary of Recommendations by the Premier's Task Force on Emergencies - Published April 2024 (PDF, 6.8MB)

Members

Members of the task force include:

  • Chief Corrina Leween, Cheslatta Carrier Nation 
  • Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc First Nation 
  • Wayne Schnitzler, Executive Director, First Nations Emergency Services Society 
  • Tanya Spooner, Manager of Emergency Programs, City of Prince George 
  • Scott Hildebrand, Chief Administrative Officer, Thompson Nicola Regional District 
  • Thom Porter, Former Director, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
  • Dan Derby, Regional Fire Chief, Regional District Kootenay Boundary and President Fire Chiefs Association of BC 
  • Shannon Salter, Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier  
  • Doug Caul, Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier
  • Eamon O’Donoghue, Associate Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests
  • Teresa Dobmeier, Associate Deputy Minister, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Ian Meier, Assistant Deputy Minister, BC Wildfire Service, Ministry of Forests
  • Madeline Maley, Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness