Emergency Management British Columbia

WHEREAS on October 27, 2012, Emergency Management British Columbia did not notify local governments in a timely manner of the tsunami warning; AND WHEREAS, after consultation between local governments and Emergency Management BC, there was no improvement in notification timing during subsequent earthquake and tsunami warnings; AND WHEREAS the safety of citizens in coastal communities is dependent upon early warning of impending tsunamis and their potential destructive forces: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to demonstrate its commitment to the safety of BC coastal communities by providing the necessary resources to Emergency Management BC, to replace the outdated Provincial Emergency Notification System PENS with the latest technological advances in notification systems and ensure information from the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre WCATSC is provided immediately upon receipt of a tsunami warning, with follow up notifications as necessary.