Build it and they will come?
Tanya Spooner, the city’s manager of emergency programs is hoping they won’t have a reason to be there.
But if any people are forced to evacuate their homes due to wildfires in the region, the Emergency Support Services Reception Centre will be there to welcome them.
The complex of three Atco trailers and a dedicated washroom facility has been set up in the Kin Centre parking lot next to Kin 2 and city staff will be ready in case there is an emergency evacuation, with the fire season just beginning.
The complex will serve as the coordination centre for the city’s response efforts to wildfires or other natural disasters to provide people forced out of their homes with access to hotel accommodations, campgrounds, meals, clothing, animal protection and whatever city services they require.
Evacuees who have a BC Services profile already set up on their mobile device would receive a cash disbursement directly deposited into a bank account and how they spend that money would be left up to the individual. Those without a device would get a voucher for accommodations or groceries at the reception centre.
This is the second year the trailers are at the current location since it was assembled last year as a pilot project for the rest of the province. The city pays to set up and dismantle the centre train the 24 part-time staff of about 24. The province will be responsible for operational costs and rental of the trailers.
“We learnt a lot last year and we’ve made some changes to our setup this year,” said Spooner. “The main trailer for where evacuees can come and be registered (and now has five reception stations) can have up to 10 kiosks at a time if needed.
“The ultimate goal remains a more permanent solution. However, Prince George has been asked to support neighbouring communities time and time again, and having the trailers in place and operationally at the ready means that we are ready not only for whatever is in store for PG, but whatever is in store for our region.”
Last year the Prince George centre was busy in May, then went into a lull until July, when the Jasper wildfire brought dozens of evacuees to the city. Spooner said the centre serves a vast area that covers two-thirds of the province with people from as far south as Lytton and 100 Mile House potentially being directed to the city in the event of wildfire.
“That is the reality of the northern part of the province right now, it doesn’t need to be in Prince George any more,” said Spooner.
The centre has a capacity of processing about 1,000 people per day. In the event of a mass evacuation like the Williams Lake fire that brought 10,000 people to Prince George in July 2017, Spooner said one of the adjacent arenas would be utilized.
“One of the big things we have focused on is moving people through the system with care and compassion but as quickly as possible because, ultimately, getting people back out and living their lives is far more beneficial for them in their recovery that sitting in the reception centre,” said Spooner.
“As soon as they have control back and start making their own decisions they can start making their own plans are not standing in line that’s of benefit to them and it’s a benefit to us as well. We’re longer doing the reception centre that you saw in 2017, we don’t have on-site daycare and you don’t have people congregating in the space anymore. It’s a place for them to come, fill out the paperwork and then they can go out and live their lives.”
In recognition of the Indigenous communities one of the trailers has been designated for cultural activities. It will provide space as an emergency operations centre for a first nation chief and council to use to coordinate their local response and as a gathering place for their community.
In other fire-related news, the city has hired a full-time FireSmart coordinator who will be available to conduct assessments on properties, residential of commercial, to help mitigate fire risk.
“This means we are now actively taking requests for FireSmart assessments on properties, people can email us at [email protected],” Spooner said.
More information about the FireSmart program and the city’s emergency programs will be shared at the CityFest event on Wednesday, May 21 from 3-7 p.m. at Canada Games Plaza.