PRRD launches new emergency agricultural response plan

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Tractors lined up at a previous North Peace Fall Fair in 2023. The PRRD has published a new Agricultural Emergency Response Plan. (North Peace Fall Fair, Facebook)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has released a new regional Agricultural Emergency Response Plan (AERP) meant to help the sector.

According to a press release, the PRRD said this plan will help farmers, producers and processors to prepare and respond to emergencies.

It said the plan covers emergency preparedness, response, recovery and will be a guide for the agricultural sector across the region.

It will identify key roles, responsibilities and contacts in an emergency.

The sector gets recommendations for action before, during and after an emergency along with guidance for specific hazards.

The AERP includes the following information:

Hazard assessment
Risk mitigation
Evacuation procedures
Communication protocols
Agricultural sector specific resources

It said: “The AERP provides guidance for the transition from normal operations to emergency response and back again.

“It offers direction on when the scope or intensity of an agricultural emergency exceeds normal capacities and requires a coordinated response supported by the PRRD EOC [Emergency Operations Centre].”

To view the AERP, click here.

For more information, contact the protective services department at protective.services@prrd.bc.ca or 250-784-3200.