Harrison Village Facts

Flood and Wildfire Preparedness: Questions Following Council Decision at the April 20th meeting

Executive Summary
Council recently rejected a motion to engage external agencies on flood and wildfire risk by Councillor Mark Schweinbenz. Given documented evacuation timelines of 11 to 16 hours and single road access, residents are seeking clarity on current plans, actions, and coordination efforts.

Key Questions Raised

Following the recent council decision to reject a motion related to flood and wildfire risk engagement by Councillor Mark Schweinbenz , I am requesting clear answers to the following:

1. Why was it determined that now is not the time to engage external agencies on flood and wildfire risk?

2. What current emergency, evacuation, and wildfire plans are in place, and when were they last updated?

3. Do these plans account for the documented 11 to 16 hour evacuation time and single road access?

4. What specific actions have been taken in the past 12 months to reduce these risks?

5. What active coordination is currently underway with the Ministry of Forests, BC Timber Sales, and Indigenous land managers?

6. What known gaps exist in Harrison’s emergency preparedness, and what is the timeline to address them?

7. Who is responsible for ensuring these risks are actively managed, and how is council informed?

8. If now is not the time, what conditions would trigger action?

These are reasonable questions tied directly to public safety and documented risk.

Why This Matters
Harrison faces known risks tied to geography, infrastructure, and increasing climate pressure. Planning, coordination, and transparency are critical to public safety.

Disclaimer
This page presents questions based on publicly discussed risks and documents. It is intended to support transparency and informed public discussion.