Skip to main content

Emergency Preparedness

Resources for Tourism Operators & Communities for Emergency Situations

Here are some important resources for communities, marketing organizations and tourism operators to use to communicate with guests and prospective visitors, and to plan and be prepared for emergencies.


Emergency Management Specialist

Corrine Bundschuh
Emergency Management Specialist
EMS@KootenayRockies.com
250-551-8046

Kootenay Rockies Tourism Emergency Management Specialist, Corrine Bundschuh, has joined the KRT team for a term position to March 31, 2025 with a mission to facilitate and support the development of a strong tourism industry in the region that will support and grow a sustainable regional visitor economy that benefits and provides residents with amenities and services that improve their quality of life.

The approach is comprehensive and grounded in four pillars of social responsibility; businesses, communities, culture and the environment. Corrine plays a pivotal role in assisting with the development of emergency management plans and engaging with community leaders to build an understanding and consensus of the critical role of being prepared for, and responding to, emergencies. She is responsible for facilitating and updating the emergency management plan for the region and engage with all levels government, rights holders, stakeholders, community leaders and partners to ensure that emergency management plans are aligned and supportive.

This role also supports the advancement of Kootenay Rockies Tourism’s strategic goals by aligning with the pillars of Destination Development and Stewardship (including social responsibility), Industry Support and Engagement and Communication, Education and Advocacy.


CRISIS COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS

Planned Workshops for 2025:

January – Nelson

February – Golden, Revelstoke,
Columbia Valley & Cranbrook.

Please check back for specific
dates and to register.

Presented by Kootenay Rockies Tourism at no cost, with complimentary lunch. The Crisis Communication Workshop is tailored specifically for the tourism sector in your area and is designed to enhance emergency preparedness by improving communication between stakeholders and developing effective crisis communication plans.

During the workshop, participants will review the Emergency Tourism Framework and learn how to use the template for creating their own Crisis Communication Plan. There will be an opportunity to work on individual crisis plans and participate in an emergency scenario exercise, followed by a collaborative discussion to refine action plans further.

Kate Colley, PR Expert with HatchComms, will join the workshop virtually to share her expertise in crisis communications.


Resources for Tourism Operators & Communities for Emergency Situations

Here are some important resources for communities, marketing organizations and tourism operators to use to communicate with guests and prospective visitors, and to plan and be prepared for emergencies.

The Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC) has released a BC Tourism Emergency Management Framework to help reduce the industry’s vulnerabilities and risks and lessen the potentially adverse impacts to visitor experiences during emergencies. The framework provides a unified structure to support tourism partners and visitors on matters related to the four pillars of emergency management … specifically mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

An Emergency Messaging Guidance document for BC’s tourism industry with seasonal information. The documents include responsible travel infographics and outlines official emergency information resources for BC and suggested messaging, visuals and actions for BC’s tourism industry during emergencies. It can help tourism businesses navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies.


Emergency Plan for Tourism Operators

Emergency Plan


This resource is designed to help BC tourism businesses and organizations start planning and preparing for emergencies that may impact their staff and guests. Choose templates, tools and suggestions that make the most sense for your operation and add to them as needed.

Emergency Plan for Tourism Operators

Prepared BC
Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire Preparedness Guide

On average, there are more than 1,600 wildfires in BC every year. Sometimes they burn in areas away from houses or infrastructure, with ecological benefits to the landscape. Other times, they can threaten peoples homes and livelihoods. This guide will help you prepare your household, protect your property and understand what to do if a wildfire is close to your community.

PreparedBC Wildfire Preparedness Guide

Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide

Extreme Heat Preparedness

This Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide is a roadmap to help you, your family and community prepare for the next Extreme Heat Emergency in British Columbia. The extreme heat in 2021 is a stark example that our climate is changing and we must prepare for the expectation that these events will become more frequent, longer and hotter in the decades to come.

Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide

BC Government: Be Prepared for extreme heat


EMERGENCY INFO BC

EmergencyInfoBC is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies, both on this site and on Twitter via @EmergencyInfoBC. Official response and recovery sources are shared as well as verified event information from trusted partners.

EmergencyInfoBC

3 Steps to Preparedness

Disasters happen and PreparedBC can help you understand and prepare for the hazards in your area. Know the Hazards, Gather your Supplies, Make your Plan, Get Prepared for Wildfires, Be Flood Ready and more resources for communities.
PreparedBC Web page

More Resources:
Ten Steps to Prepare Your Business for Evacuation by the BC Economic Development Association.


KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

For current travel restrictions, wildfire info and other key resources, learn more here:
KootenayRockies.com
HelloBC.com