Resource Roundup | Emergency Wildfire Resources
Sunset from atop Battle Bluff, Thompson Valley
Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Wildfires across the province have become significant enough that the BC government declared a provincial state of emergency effective July 21, 2021 to support the province wide response to the ongoing wildfire situation. The government is working with the tourism sector to convey the message that many areas of B.C. are open to travel, but public safety is paramount.
TOTA employs a Crisis Management Coordinator, who regularly engages with Emergency Management BC, to closely monitor the region and work with impacted communities, tourism businesses, Indigenous partners, and other stakeholders.
As well, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program advisors continue to support tourism business operators in the region and are available to provide 1:1 support and plans for moving forward.
We know this is a challenging time for many tourism businesses who have just entered Step 3 of the B.C. Restart Plan and in need of a busy season to recover.
We invite you to share your current experiences so we can inform government of the evolving situation, such as:
Are you receiving cancellations that are due to concerns (real or perceived) with the wildfire situation?
Are your customers expressing concern about their plans and whether or not to continue their vacation?
Are your customers proceeding regardless of the wildfires and smoke, but changing their itinerary as the situation evolves?
Are you facing any other crisis related challenges?
Feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com with any information on the following questions and other concerns.
Register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database
We request that all tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation. Thank you.
Emergency Preparedness Resources
Destination BC Resources
Destination BC has prepared current Emergency Messaging Guidance to help the tourism industry navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions.
As part of this, industry partners are encouraged to use the hashtag #RealTime[community name] on social media to ensure current and future visitors have an accurate ‘real time’ visual on current conditions (blue skies, business as usual etc.). Add the date and time the photo was taken, and tag key tourism partners in your post (@DestinationBC / @ThompsnOkanagan on Twitter, @HelloBC / @Thompson_Okanagan on Instagram, and @ThompsonOkanagan on Facebook ) and your Community DMO partners so it can be amplified.
The messaging guidance can be found on Destination BC's Emergency Preparedness page, along with safe and responsible travel graphics for you to use on your channels, a visitor-facing safe travel brochure (web and print version), and the links to Know Before You Go information.
Provincial Resources
We have compiled the latest resources to support tourism businesses through this time. We encourage tourism business operators to review the emergency preparedness information below (and on the TOTA Emergency Preparedness page for future reference).
Important resources for communities, destination marketing organizations (DMO's) and tourism operators to use to communicate with guests and prospective visitors can be found here:
go2HR Emergency Planning Resources for Tourism Operators including templates, tools, and checklists
EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation orders
DriveBC's info about road closures, major events and transportation delays
Destination BC's "Know Before You Go" for visitors
Thompson Okanagan’s “Know Before You Go” for visitors
Financial Resources
Business and Agriculture Recovery Programs
The Agri-Business Planning Program provides support for Disaster recovery planning to help producers implement an immediate and long-term disaster recovery plan. The program will provide access to basic financial analysis, specialized business planning and coaching services.
Community Futures provides on-the-ground support for businesses. Businesses having a difficult time managing cash flow, planning for the future, selling their business, or seeking other support are encouraged to contact their regional/ local Community Futures Office to learn about the range of support available.
InvestLocalBC is a crowdfunding platform designed for local nonprofits to create online forums to fund, support and evolve their initiatives and projects. The standard five per cent fixed funding administrative fee is waived for non-profit organizations, businesses and arts and cultural organizations experiencing impacts from wildfires.
Preparing to Support People with Unique Preparedness Needs
Resources to support people with various abilities in preparing for an emergency. You may need to think about additional preparations for guests with hearing, mobility, speech, cognitive, or other challenges.
Recovering After a Wildfire
Recovering after a wildfire and Recovering after a flood pages provide steps to consider before you re-enter or clean your home.
Visit a Red Cross Support Center or call 1 800 863-6582 (Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM PT) to make an appointment.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) can provide answers to individuals and businesses with insurance questions and concerns.
The Ministry of Children and Family Development can be reached at 1 877 387-7027 to access services for children, families and caregivers, including child and youth mental-health services.
Federal Recovery Programs
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF): to help tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. The $500 million national initiative across Canada will be administered by Western Economic Diversification in Western Canada.
Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Subsidy to cover a portion of eligible expenses until September 25, 2021. Also includes an additional Lockdown Support of 25% if your business was significantly affected by a public health order. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Aimed at sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment, and will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans up to $1 million for up to ten years.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers part of your employee wages retroactively back to December 20, 2020 until September 25, 2021. The maximum subsidy is 75%. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is designed to encourage businesses to grow as the economy recovers, whether it’s due to hiring and rehiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay. Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS or CRHP - here is a comparison between the two programs.
Indigenous Programs: First Peoples' Cultural Council Arts Program. Grants ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 for Indigenous B.C. residents open for the Spring 2021 intake.
First Nations Wildfire Supports
The Province of B.C. works closely with First Nations, local authorities, and businesses to ensure programs are in place to help those impacted by emergencies and to discuss local solutions for community recovery.
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Environmental Public Health Services provides public health inspection, assessment and advisory services for in-community facilities.
The Local Authorities and First Nations Recovery Toolkit (PDF, 500KB) is intended to guide Local Authorities and First Nations as they plan for disaster recovery, including planning for community recovery, infrastructure recovery, demobilization and debris management.
The Financial Assistance for Emergency Response and Recovery Costs: A Guide for Local Authorities and First Nations (PDF, 971KB) provides local authorities and First Nations in British Columbia with information on the procedures required to maximize claims for financial assistance with the costs of both response and recovery.
Top Ten Steps to Prepare your Business for Evacuation
If you are on evacuation alert or think you will be put on evacuation alert, there are some important steps you will want to consider. If you have an evacuation plan, review the plan and start the implementation process.
If you do not have an evacuation plan, you can review this print-friendly list of 10 things to consider for your business to prepare by the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA).
General Tourism Resources
For the latest industry info and trends, you can refer to TOTA's News Centre, Research page, Resiliency Research page and Fast Facts publication.
We also recommend signing up for the Destination BC and Destination Canada industry newsletters for additional tourism industry news.
