CERS hosted a meeting at Grassy Plains school on Jan 18th, that was attended by more than 140 community members. The CERS board of directors heard loud and clear from residents concerned about the creation of regulations that will support EDMA. The fire season is less then 3 months away, and CERS will continue to engage with local government and BCWS staff and the community to get clarification around these regulations.
2024-01-24-CERS response to EDMA-FINAL
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The Emergency & Disaster Management Act became law on November 8, 2023.
Concerned community members who wish to provide input into the creation of the regulations and policies around this act have until January 31, 2024 to submit their feed back.,
If you are wanting to submit feedback, but unsure of where to start, here are some suggestions and links to further information.
1.Become informed
2.Submit a letter of concern (hand written or typed)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2024
Burns Lake, BC: The Chinook Emergency Response Society (CERS) assists communities in the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) Electoral Area-E prepare and respond to emergencies and disasters.
Without any prior consultation or communication with communities directly impacted by this incoming legislation, the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) came into effect on November 8, 2023. CERS is extremely alarmed about the potential impacts this new act will have for the community, local governments and First Nations in disaster response.
“Since 2018, CERS has worked hard organizing a grassroots community emergency response system in our vast area. Our community members include highly skilled and trained people who have actioned countless emergency events in our area. We have developed relationships with local First Nations and the RDBN, which have been acknowledged and praised by BCWS, government agencies and elected officials. Now, in an attempt to fast-track policy that would throw us in jail for protecting our property and livelihoods, they are pushing not only the EDMA down our throats, but regulations that would effectively criminalize us for responding to emergencies in our communities. It’s insane!!!” Risé Johansen – Founding CERS Chair
There are 3 main areas of concern:
“It has been shown that the government does not have the capacity to deal with large-scale wildfire events such as those that have occurred since 2017. Because of this, more and more communities are organizing to help protect their properties and livelihoods. CERS has been working with local community members since 2018 and receives no government funding and the actions of community volunteers have saved millions of dollars in timber resources, structures and firefighting costs. This government needs to work with organized communities, and they need to start now.” Sharon Vare – CERS Board Chair
CERS is urging residents to voice their concerns before the government deadline of January 31, 2024.