PreparedBC: Emergency Planning Resources for Tourism Operators

Emergency Planning

When natural disasters strike, tourism operators play a vital role in providing information, direction, and guidance for tourists and visitors unfamiliar with BC and its potential hazards.

Below you will find many industry-specific resources available for your use in preparing for emergencies when they occur, including ways to prepare for tsunami, wildfire, flood, wildlife encounters, avalanche, and other natural and recreation-related risks. Check out drill manuals and preparedness guides and plans, BC-wide safety awareness events, and channels to stay connected with the most up-to-date weather and emergency alerts.

By sharing this information with your staff and guests, you can help prepare them for various emergency scenarios and ensure a high standard of safety.

PreparedBC: Guide for Tourism Operators Follow this step-by-step guide to prepare your operation and staff for emergencies: know the risks, make a plan, have key contacts on hand, stock up on materials and supplies, communicate with and train employees on emergency responses, conduct practice and drills, and more.

PreparedBC: Emergency Plan for Tourism Operators Use these templates, tools, and checklists to begin the process of planning and preparing for emergencies that may impact staff and guests.

RELATED RESOURCES:

• Great British Columbia ShakeOut: In the Resource Section, there are Drill Manuals and Planning Documents, including:
  • Tourism Participant Guide
  • Printable earthquake preparedness tent cards and door hangers
  • Printable tsunami preparedness tent cards and door hangers
• Tsunami Information
• Wildfire Information
• Flood Information
• British Columbia Major Planned Events Guidelines
• People with Unique Preparedness Needs
• Parks Canada Mountain Safety Information

EVENTS:

• High Ground Hike: In British Columbia, Tsunami Preparedness Week is held the second full week of every April. Hosting a High Ground Hike is a great way to recognize the week and engage residents and visitors on the subject of local tsunami risk and proper response.
• Emergency Preparedness Week:  first full week of May each year.
• Great British Columbia ShakeOut: annual October event.

USEFUL LINKS:

• PreparedBC
• AdventureSmart
• BC Parks:
  • BC Parks Health and Safety
  • BC Parks Wildlife Safety
• BC Wildfire
• Avalanche Canada: trip planning and weather forecast information including avalanche bulletins
• BC River Forecast Center: flood warnings and advisories
• Drive BC

SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS:

• BC Emergency preparedness info: @PreparedBC
• BC Emergency alerts and notices: @EmergencyInfoBC
• Updates, news and prevention tips from the BC Wildfire Service: @BCGovFireInfo
• AdventureSmart BC: @BC__AS
• Great British Columbia ShakeOut!: @ShakeOutBC
• Canada’s official weather and climate source (BC): @ECCCWeatherBC
• DriveBC: @DriveBC
• Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue: @RCM_SAR
• BC Search & Rescue Assoc. represents 80+ recognized SAR Groups in the BC: @BCSARAssoc
• Health Emergency Management BC: @BCHealthEM
• National Tsunami Warning Center: @NWS_NTWC
• Natural Resources Canada: @CANADAquakes
• U.S. Geographical Survey @USGSted
• The latest updates & info on spills in BC: @SpillsInfoBC

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