Peace River Regional District invites residents to complete hazard and risk survey

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PPRD) is inviting residents to participate in a survey regarding potential hazards in the region.

From April 23rd until May 22nd, 2026 at 3 p.m., residents will be able to participate in an online survey in order to help shape the region’s new Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA).

The PRRD said the HRVA is being developed with partnership from multiple municipalities, including Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Hudson’s Hope, Pouce Coupe and Tumbler Ridge.

According to a PRRD Facebook post, survey input will “directly influence how future emergency planning and mitigation efforts are prioritized.”

The PRRD said in the post it is asking residents to share their “real-world experiences with local hazards.”

It also said the HRVA is a foundational tool used to calculate risk scores for hazards, including wildfires, flooding, windstorms and utility outages. 

According to the PRRD, feedback from residents is ‘essential’ for what it calls ‘consequence scoring’, helping it understand the real-world impact these events can have on residents and properties. 

Public engagement for this project will:

• Inform risk scores: Use resident feedback to calculate risk levels
• Share key takeaways: Provide residents with early findings from the vulnerability assessment conducted by the project team
• Guide future actions: Identify the most important risk mitigation and emergency preparedness steps for the region

From May 2nd to 7th, the PRRD will be hosting six in-person community events to gather ‘vital’ perspectives from residents on local hazards. 

• Hudson’s Hope: May 2nd, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hudson’s Hope Fire Hall, 10306 Kyllo Street
• Buick Creek: May 3rd, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Community Hall, 15288 Beatton Airport Road
• Chetwynd: May 4th, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Chetwynd Public Library, 4522 N Access Road
• Pouce Coupe: May 5th, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pouce Coupe Fire Hall, 5012 49th Avenue
• Taylor: May 6th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Taylor Community Hall, 9896 Cherry Ave W
• Dawson Creek: May 7th 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Post & Row Brewing Co., 801 102 Ave, Dawson Creek

Residents who would like to complete a paper copy of the survey can visit the PRRD offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 100 Street). 

The PRRD released a roadmap for the survey. 

It said it will report back on what it heard in August 2026, and will ask residents to help prioritize specific risk reduction actions. 

The PRRD says a final public report will be released in Summer 2027, outlining specific actions it and its partners can take to reduce regional risks, as well as potential programs (training or subsidies) to help residents build household preparedness. 

Take the survey here. If you have trouble taking the survey, contact the PRRD Communications Department at communications@prrd.bc.ca.