LEARN7 ~ Emergency Evacuation for an Isolated Community

I live on a small island of about 3,000 residents where the potential threats of wildfires, earthquakes and influenza outbreaks are all very possible.

We are entering what is predicted to be one of the worst fire hazard seasons ever, surpassing the 2009 record. Last year we had people who were infected by the H1N1 virus. We are in the earthquake default zone. We are situated between British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island where there is potential for a tsunami to flood the straits.

We haven't had an emergency that has required island evacuation. A sample of new and long-time residents indicated they aren't prepared and don't know what to do or where their designated emergency facility is.

We depend on a ferry or an after-hour privately-ownded water taxi company to get us to the mainland (Vancouver Island) where the hospital is located.

We have a high number of transient residents: cottagers, hotel guests; day visitors; campers; and drive-through Cortez Island ferry passengers who take our ferry to Vancouver Island.

We have an active Emergency Response team of Government officials, Health, Police, Fire and volunteers who have been working hard to set plans for fire hazard and lengthy power outages.

Most residents and businesses are prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours as power outages are an often occurrence during our winter storm season. Our community centre and local resorts with large generators and space have volunteered their premises as emergency housing facilities.

The existing emergency notification process uses a 'buddy' system to get the word out with the Fire Department and volunteers going door to door. This may not work if the 'buddy' lead is not available, and puts undo pressure on the Fire and Emergency Response Teams to have to notify more people than necessary or find alternatives to spread the word. This is especially true for the residents who live away from the main population areas.

The majority of our residents live in the southern area of the island; there is a growing population in the middle and northern areas. There is one road from north to south. Fallen trees could block the road, power/phone lines could be down, and some areas of the island do not have mobile phone coverage.

These residents could potentially be cut off and need an alternative method to be notified and evacuated in the event of an emergency.

The one ferry we have may not be able to handle an island-wide evacuation in a timely manner but we have many resident boaters who know the waters well.

Campbell River boaters are within distance for possible additional support.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, we may not be able to rely on government to provide us with evacuation assistance and transportation.

BENEFITS

1. Potential reduced loss of life.
2. Reduction of government emergency resources required by being self-organized.
3. Reduction of time to evacuate the island by enlisting the local boaters and spare boats.
4. Builds community strength and resilience by being prepared which also reduces the fear factor.
5. Serves the entire island community with the exception of hearing-disabled residents. NOTE: A separate plan for the disabled will be incorporated into the emergency procedures.
6. Does not rely on phone or word-of-mouth.Serves as a role model and knowledge share with other remote or isolated communities. Tourist promotion by being prepared (shows a cohesive and progressive community).
7. TBD as identified by feasibility study.

RISKS

1. Project is not a success, government viewed as cause, loss of reputation.
2. False alarm will have a major impact on the community.
3. Major Stakeholders cannot agree with the process.
4. Not enough boats to handle passenger counts (perceived safety thinking boats are on their way).
5. Time constraints, I may not have enough time to take on such a large project.
6. Lack of resources (government staff, volunteers, subject matter experts).
7. TBD as identified by feasibility study.

1. A cost-effective signal device is available for purchase or can be developed and manufactured.
2. Funding is available to implement project.
3. Federal government approves signal sequence.
4. Provincial and local governments approve and commit resources to the project.
5. BC Hydro approves signal box on their poles (trees could be used, prefer the poles if possible).
6. BC Hydro commits resources for installation or approves third-party vendor.
7. Community acceptance/volunteer support, and willing to participate in mock emergency drills.
8. Signal devices do not harm the environment.
9. TBD by feasibility study.

1. All components are available:

• Solar-Powered panels to produce sufficient power for the signal boxes.
• Portable Wind power devices that can be used with or in place of Solar panels.
• Air Horns of various sound distances that are remotely controlled and are weatherproof.
• BC Hydro poles exist throughout the island and another service vendor already shares poles.
• Telus has a tower on the southern island that may be used for remote control signals.

1. Unknown if suitable device exists.
2. Unknown expensive to design and manufacture a new device if required.
3. Unknown if it's possible to provide signal coverage to the entire island.
4. Unknown if BC Hydro will agree to share poles (i.e. interfereswith their remote operations).

SIGNAL SEQUENCE PROCESS

CHALLENGES FOR SIGNAL SEQUENCE

1. Accurate head count due to transient residents: vacationers, visitors, “pass-through” road passengers from Cortez Island ferry.
2. Weather may prohibit smaller boats to be used.
3. Accurate number of boats available (boat replacements have less passenger capacity).
4. Signal Device malfunctions.

1. Determine feasibility and detailed requirements.
2. Obtain approval and support from Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments.
3. Develop roles and responsibilities for Health Authorities, Signal Operator/s, First Responders (Boater Division) and the Community.
4. Identify and train the Signal Operator/s, First Responders (Boater Division) and the Community.
5. Identify signal box locations by soliciting Community, Government Authorities, BC Hydro, Telus, and Cable input.
6. Install signal boxes in a controlled roll-out to pilot and check-point throughout implementation.
7. Schedule and host a annual event one day mock evacuation festival (non-essential services).
8. Maintain and test the signal boxes according to manufacture recommended schedule or better.

Police, Fire and Ambulance Departments (Quadra Island)
Canadian Federal Government for input and approvals

Canadian Armed Forces (advisory for Signal Sequence)
Lighthouse Operators need to be aware of Signal Sequence
BC Government for input and approvals
BC Government Provincial Emergency Program for input and approvals
Municipal Government (Campbell River) for input
Health Authorities for input and approvals
BC Hydro own hydro poles
Telus share hydro poles
Cable share hydro poles
BC Ferry Corporation (Quadra Island and Campbell River routes)
Boaters Association (Quadra Island and Campbell River)
Hotels, Resorts and Marinas
Private residents with docking facilities
Marine Traffic - must not impacted by signals
Quadra Island Tourist Accommodations to ensure guests are informed of procedure
Quadra Island adventure companies for extra boats and kayaks
Cortez Island Residents for pass-through to Quadra Island ferry to get to the mainland
Day Tourists and Visitors need to be informed of the procedure
TBD by feasibility study

ESTIMATED RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Steering Committee, Project Advisor, Project Manager, Business Analyst, Project Coordinator.
2. Communication staff.
3. Area Provincial Government agent for approval and participation with the procedure process.
4. Provincial Emergency Program agent for approval and participation with the procedure process.
5. Local Emergency Response team for the procedure process.
6. Local boaters for the procedure process.
7. Community representatives for the site location.
8. Solar power expert to assist with signal box development.
9. Electrical expert to assist with signal box development.
10. Wind power expert to assist with signal box development.
11. BC Hydro representative for approval and oversight of signal boxinstallation.
12. Environmentalist to ensure the signal + box does not impact environment (noise, corrosion etc).
13. Signal sequence expert/s to determine an appropriate sequence compatible worldwide.
14. Trainers to develop training material and provide training sessions according to roles.
15. Social Media Expert, Graphic Designer for communications strategy.
16. Event Organizer for the annual Mock Emergency Festival.

PHASE 2 - OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

1. Ongoing signal box maintenance.
2. Ongoing training sessions as required.
3. Annual mock emergency evacuation festival.
4. Presentations to other communities/governments about the project.

1. Expansion to other remote islands or communities around the globe.
2. Develop an Ushahidi network for the island.
3. Develop a 'Dark Site' for the island.

SUPPORTING LINKS
Air Horn components: www.wikihow.com/Build-an-Air-Horn-Kit
Air Horns for inclement weather: www.kahlenberg.com/commer.html
Loud Air Horns: www.hornblasters.com/
Remote Warning Station: www.detect-measure.com/manuf_kahlenberg.html
Solar Powered Warning Systems: www.mccordcommunications.com/warning_systems_faqs.htm
Solar Powered Fire Warning System: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/forest-guard-solar-warning.html
Portable Wind Power: www.alternative-energy-news.info/rose-wind-turbine/

[Tags TBD, include evokation urgentevoke quadraisland ...]

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