Community Hazard Observations

About Project

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is inviting residents of Cortes Island, Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis, and Zeballos to help identify local hazards and risks by participating in the development of a new Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA). Community members can get involved by attending a drop-in session or workshop this summer and completing the online survey.

A HRVA is a critical part of our regional emergency management program and also a forthcoming regulatory requirement under the Local Authority Emergency Management Regulation of the Emergency and Disaster Management Act for local authorities. The results from the HRVA are the cornerstones of the planning process and will be used to develop planning priorities and help make risk-based choices to address vulnerabilities, mitigate hazards, and prepare for response and recovery from disasters.

"Community input is essential to this process," said SRD Board, Chair Mark Baker. "Residents bring valuable local knowledge and firsthand experience that help us better understand the risks facing our communities. Their feedback helps improve emergency planning, strengthen public education, and ensure we focus on the hazards that matter most. This work supports the Board's strategic priorities of engaging with our communities and proactively preparing for emergency events and climate change impacts." 

The rationale for only focusing on these five communities for an all-hazards public engagement process is because their Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans are currently being updated. The Regional District intends to replicate a similar all-hazards public engagement process for other areas in the near future.

"Hazard assessments aren't based on technical information alone," said SRD Manager of Emergency Services, Shaun Koopman. "While data helps us understand where and how often hazards may occur, residents provide the local context that tells us how those events affect people, properties, and critical infrastructure. That information helps us better identify areas of concern and prioritize actions that will reduce risk in the future." 

Public engagement for this project will use resident feedback to help determine risk levels and guide future actions by identifying the most important risk mitigation and emergency preparedness actions for communities.

The online survey below is open until Friday October 9, 2026. 

As a thank you for participating, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw to win one of 10 Emergency Survival Kits, each valued at approximately $100.