Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

The CERS board knows that there are many folks in our community who are looking to get involved with the work of keeping our lands safe.

We’ve got a couple of volunteer opportunities to support local volunteers who are on the front lines fighting fires.  These opportunities are for people who may not be willing or able to attend the fire sites.

One group is to provide food & water to teams. We’ve approached Alain Vitela-Campos to ask him to organize and create a team of folks who are willing and able to help with the refreshments in this capacity.

The other is to restock the trailers in between emergencies. We’ve also approached Al Armbruster to ask him to create and organize a restocking crew.

If you are interested in joining one of these teams, please contact Al or Alain – Here are letters with their contact information.

Alain – Food and Refreshments

Al – trailer restocking

Expert Task Force on Emergencies – Recommendations

Expert Task Force on Emergencies – Recommendations

The recommendations from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies is out. Some key recommendations include:
  • The Task Force recommended all emergency management partners recognize the value of and apply local and Indigenous knowledge, and develop clear and consistent guidance for incorporating it into operational wildfire and emergency management decision-making.
  • The Task Force recommended defining clear pathways for organized and trained local people to play a role in wildfire preparedness and response, based on consistent safety, pre-season training and readiness standards and plans, and integration into the BC Wildfire Service or local emergency management structure with appropriate coordination, accountability and oversight.
  • The Task Force recommended taking a laddered approach that matches opportunities with local capabilities and allows communities to build their capacity over time. Initial opportunities should focus on strengthening and empowering local expertise and leadership for preparedness, FireSmart, mitigation and recovery activities, such as prescribed burning and evacuation readiness.
  • The Task Force recommended government develop guidance to improve the clarity, consistency and accessibility of the roles, processes and procedures for partnership-based wildfire response for all emergency management partners so that everyone has a clear understanding of how they can contribute effectively. These guidelines should evolve into joint annual operational planning among partners as a longer-term strategy.
  • The Task Force recommended clarifying, streamlining and strengthening guidance, roles and responsibilities for initial response for newly detected fires based on a “nearest qualified crew” principle, supported by proactive communication and coordination.
  • The Task Force recommended government collaborate with local authorities and First Nations to improve the consistency of guidance and strengthen coordination processes for residents who may require access to areas under evacuation order.
Click the link for the entire summary:
EDMA – CERS board submission

EDMA – CERS board submission

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

 

.

EDMA – Taking Action

EDMA – Taking Action

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

  • Read the media release put about by CERS on January 3, 2024 –Click here
  • And/or read the agenda from the December 14, 2023 RDBN board meeting (pg 106-128) – Click here
  • You can also read all 124 pages of the Act – Click here

2.Submit a letter of concern (hand written or typed)

Community Concerned About Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA)

Community Concerned About Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA)

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:

  1. Maximum fines of one million dollars and/or jail time for individuals and businesses who are non-compliant during an emergency, effectively criminalizing neighbors helping neighbors.
    • In the summer of 2023, community volunteers responded to 27 fires in the region. These volunteers could now be jailed and/or fined.
    • Community members protecting property, feeding livestock and fighting fires behind evacuation order lines could also be jailed and fined.
  2. EDMA regulations will strip Regional Districts in B.C. of local decision-making authority and autonomy.
    • In 2023, the RDBN issued Temporary Access Permits for Agricultural Purposes and allowed the support of residents and business owners who remained within areas under evacuation orders to feed livestock and protect infrastructure. Under EDMA, the RDBN and their staff could face fines and jail time if they continue to support residents in this way.
  3. EDMA regulations will take away individual and community rights and their ability to organize and respond to emergencies that threaten their property or
    • Neighbors facing fines and/or jail time will be reluctant to help protect community resources.
    • Overreach of this magnitude cripples communities who want to protect themselves and aid others in an emergency event.

“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.

Click here for a PDF version of news release