The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is starting a detailed community consultation process this week with a series of meetings in communities throughout the Cariboo, including Nazko, West Fraser and the City of Quesnel.
The meetings will be one of several methods the regional district will be using to improve future emergency response communications and planning.
Several agencies that were involved in the emergency will also be in attendance, as well as a variety CRD staff members.
Meeting locations have been scheduled in 17 of the most impacted fire and evacuation areas with all residents welcome.
“Residents are encouraged to attend the consultation meeting closest to them, whether in their community or another. We have scheduled to be in many areas more than once to give residents some flexibility to match their schedule,” CRD chair Al Richmond.
The meetings are intended to be a way to reach out to residents and gain feedback on the emergency efforts as well as understand community and resident needs through recovery.
They will be structured to ensure all residents have an opportunity to have their feedback heard.
A trade show – full of information about the response and recovery resources – will start each meeting followed by a brief overview of the response.
The remainder of the meeting will be dedicated to small-group discussion about the response and recovery challenges.
There will not be an open microphone portion at any of the meetings in order to gain insight on as many topics and from as many residents as possible.
Meetings will run between one to two hours.
“We are hoping you will share your experiences and challenges moving forward, in a respectful and candid way.
“That will ensure we are prepared for future emergencies and help us improve how we communicate during those emergencies,” Richmond explained
Further consultation will happen, including visits to schools, senior facilities, community support groups and community events.
Furthermore, watch for other opportunities later in November, including a Facebook Live video event and a survey.
The consultations are being completed on behalf of the CRD by Tim Conrad, APR, and Lloyd Piehl of Butterfly Effect Communications, both of whom were part of the information team during emergency operations this summer.
“Consultations are notoriously difficult, and we are hoping these family-friendly meetings will allow all residents who experienced the many challenges of the wildfire season to have a voice,” Conrad says.
For additional event information, visit cariboord.ca or facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations or call 1-800-665-1636.
Meeting dates
Locally, consultation meetings are at Nazko School on Nov. 3, starting at 6:30 p.m.; West Fraser Fire Hall on Nov. 4, starting at 1:30 p.m. at West Fraser Fire Hall; and in Quesnel on Nov. 4, starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting location has not be determined.