Emergency Program

History

The Strathcona Emergency Program service was established by SRD Bylaw 275, the “Strathcona Emergency Program”, for the purpose of establishing and operating an emergency preparedness plan for Electoral Area 'A' (Sayward — Kyuquot/Nootka), Electoral Area 'B' (Cortes), Electoral Area 'C' (Discovery Islands — Mainland Inlets), Electoral 'D' (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake), the City of Campbell River, the Village of Gold River, the Village of Sayward, the Village of Tahsis, and the Village of Zeballos.

The emergency preparedness service for the area covered by the Strathcona Regional District was established in 2005 while the area was still part of the Comox-Strathcona Regional District. Following the creation of the Strathcona Regional District as a separate entity, an amendment bylaw was adopted in early 2010, which updated geographical references and the cost sharing formula for service participants. 

What we do

This service works to support fire safety and emergency management, which are critical functions of local government. The SRD administers fire protection services for the Sayward Fire Service Area as the authority-having-jurisdiction of the Sayward Fire & Rescue Department. We also provide fire services to Electoral Area B (Cortes Island) and a portion of Electoral Area D (Oyster Bay / Buttle Lake) through contractual relationships with the Cortes Island Firefighters Association and the City of Campbell River.

Emergency Services is responsible for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts within the Electoral Areas of Regional District and provides emergency management coordination, leadership and support to member municipalities and First Nations. The success of the Strathcona Emergency Program is due in large part to the many Public Safety Lifeline Volunteers who donate their skills and time toward emergency preparedness and response activities.