By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) recently received $30,000 from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to complete the review of evacuation plans that the district began in 2023. The Avola-Blue River region is one of the 11 plans being reviewed and updated.
The TNRD board of directors unanimously approved the application to the Ministry’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund in April.
According to Colton Davies, Communications and Marketing Manager for the TNRD, the plans identify potential hazards and their frequency of occurring, populations at risk, evacuation routes and procedures, and the district’s communication methods, among other considerations. The review will ensure these aspects of the plan are current to the district’s needs.
“The TNRD covers more than 44,000 square kilometres of land, so being up to date on evacuation planning in all parts of our Electoral Areas at all times can be a challenge,” Davies wrote in a statement to The Goat. “Generally, our emergency staff are widely familiar with TNRD communities and main egress routes… This planning will help close any gaps in organizational knowledge for emergency planning.”
The review of the Avola-Blue River plan will include identifying exit routes that may be at risk of being cut off during a natural disaster, Davies added.
“The communities of Avola and Blue River are well-situated for egress (exit) options during a potential evacuation due to their proximity to the Yellowhead Highway, but egress would be at higher risk in other locations within the plan boundaries, including recreational areas,” he said.
Lee Onslow, director for TNRD Electoral Area B, said she is glad the district is taking initiative to review its evacuation plans.
“I think it’s extremely important, based on the amount of times the emergency operations centre has been opened and people have had to evacuate their communities, to have some understanding of where the routes are within each community,” she said. “It’s a great step forward for sure.”According to Davies, the plan review must be complete by July 2025 as part of the grant requirements. However, the district hopes to finish this work sooner, and will make the plans available on its evacuation plans webpage.
