In an emergency, knowing where to go and what to do can make a significant difference. That’s why Bowen Island Municipality has developed a comprehensive Evacuation Plan to support a safe and coordinated evacuation if one is ever required.
The Evacuation Plan is a detailed reference document containing information, procedures, maps, and resources for BIM staff and agency experts to use in an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate and execute a successful evacuation during a disaster on Bowen Island.
While the plan is primarily intended to support emergency planning and response, it also contains valuable information for residents. Community members can use it to help develop their own household emergency plans and become familiar with how an evacuation may be managed on Bowen Island.
The plan includes maps showing evacuation zones, potential assembly areas, Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centres, alternate marine evacuation points, and other important information. During an emergency, the EOC will determine which, if any, of these sites need to be activated based on the situation. By reviewing the evacuation zone maps and identifying your neighbourhood, you can better understand how evacuations may be organized and what information may apply to your area during an emergency.
Residents are encouraged to review the Evacuation Plan and familiarize themselves with the evacuation zone that includes their neighbourhood as part of their household emergency preparedness planning.
If you have questions about evacuations on Bowen Island, stop by a BIM Emergency Program table at a community event, attend the next Emergency Preparedness Week speaker event, or email ttaylor@bimbc.ca.
Preparedness starts before an emergency. Taking a few minutes to learn about evacuation procedures today can help you and your family be better prepared tomorrow.