During an Emergency

During an emergency, the Emergency Management Program manages the response actions taken during an emergency.

Emergency Operations Centre

Our dedicated Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is designed to act as coordination and communications centres for any large emergency or disaster events that impact Squamish.  

During emergencies, the EOC will:

  • Coordinate resource requests from the site(s), establish priorities, and resolve any conflicting demands for support
  • Manage non-site activities
  • Coordinate and liaise with federal, provincial, and other local governments as well as other agencies involved in the response
  • Prepare and disseminate emergency public information to inform, alert, and warn the public
  • Prepare official press releases and schedule press conferences
  • Analyze and evaluate data and maintain maps, display boards, and other data required for emergency operations
  • Disseminate damage information and other essential data
  • Plan for the continuance of government

The level of Emergency Operations Centre staffing varies with each specific emergency.  Squamish Emergency Program staff and volunteers, as well as municipal staff, regularly test the activation, set-up, and operation of the EOC to ensure its constant readiness and effectiveness.

Shelter-In-Place

In the event of an emergency affecting Squamish’s air quality, such as a hazardous materials spill, people in the threatened area may be instructed to Shelter-In-Place.

Shelter in place means “Stay indoors and shut your doors and windows.”

Unlike seeking refuge at a Reception Centre away from your home or place of work, which might be required during an evacuation, sheltering in place is a precaution to help keep you safe by remaining indoors.

First responders, such as police officers and firefighters, will alert people within the affected area by driving though the neighbourhoods providing instructions over a loud speaker or by going door-to-door. The municipality will post emergency information on squamish.ca and share information through local media.

Shelter in place at home:

  • If instructed by first responders or municipal officials to Shelter-In-Place, close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
  • Turn off all fans, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems and close any fireplace dampers. Additional protection can be provided for window and door openings by purchasing plastic and sealing with duct tape.
  • If possible, take refuge in a small, interior room, with few or no windows.
  • Although most Shelter-In-Place orders usually last a few hours, take your family emergency kit into the room with you, so you and your family and pets have a supply of food, bottled water, first aid supplies and medications on hand.
  • Have a working radio available, so you can listen to local media to know when it's safe to come out or if you need to evacuate the area.

Shelter in place at work:

  • Close the business and ask all staff, customers or visitors to stay inside the building.
  • Close and lock all doors, windows and any other openings to the outside.
  • Turn off, seal or disable all building mechanical systems, such as fans, heating and air conditioning systems and systems that automatically supply fresh air.
  • Avoid rooms with large windows or mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, as it might not be possible to seal off this equipment from the outdoors. Listen to local media for further instructions from the municipality.

Evacuation

Squamish's evacuation plan outlines the steps the District would take to safely evacuate the community during an emergency event.

  

Know the difference between an Alert and an Order

  • An Evacuation Alert means that you should be ready to leave on short notice.
  • An Evacuation Order means you are at risk and should evacuate the area immediately. Follow the routes specified by officials and move away from the fire. 

What you need to know

evac plan zone

Know your zone

Squamish is divided into 12 evacuation zones. In the event of an evacuation, zones will be prioritized based on the proximity of the hazard.

muster

Know your transportation muster point

If an evacuation order is issued and you do not have a ride, go to a central muster point to connect with transportation to a safe location.

Have a plan and get a kit

Make a plan with family for what to do in an evacuation alert or order. Build an emergency kit to be prepared for at least 72 hours.

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