By Jim Cooperman
Contributor
A common saying is that the true test of character is to be able to admit when a mistake is made and issue an apology.
The chance that the Columbia Shuswap Regional District will ever do this is remote.
One might think that after North Shuswap residents almost perished in the firestorm that the regional district would want to examine why the evacuation order came so late and was so poorly executed, yet instead they chose to hire consultants to find out what the community had to say about the disaster. The result is a report filled with errors that glosses over the problems and may sit on a shelf until the next emergency is mismanaged.
The report listed the local communities but neglected to include Lee Creek, just below where the massive aerial ignition was lit just prior to a windstorm and where 10 homes burned. In the summary of themes, the report listed a key concern was the timing of the evacuation alert, rather than correctly identifying the timing of the order as the main issue. It also explained how there was no evacuation order in Sorrento, when indeed there was one.
Much of the report consists of computer-generated transcripts complete with spelling mistakes (e.g. shoe swap and Metal Creek). Many of the transcripts were of CSRD staff members speaking and yet these speakers were not identified. There was no estimate of the number of residents impacted by the fire, no timelines and no examination of the important role that first responders performed in saving lives.
What the report does provide are the views and feelings of a community still traumatized by a massive wildfire that could have been prevented and a failed emergency management system that put residents in harms way instead of protecting them.
It is obvious that despite countless meetings and intensive planning, staff sitting behind computers in offices far away from a disaster cannot provide the help that is needed, especially when they are dependent upon a provincial government organization that was more concerned with its own safety and reputation than the lives of the people it is mandated to protect.
Read more: Lack of trust in local government among issues identified in North Shuswap
Read more: Viewpoint: Shuswap wildfire response campaign well-received in Victoria
Words do matter and here are some key quotes about the delayed evacuation: Evacuation dangerously too late. We had no clue we were in the risk we were… did you know? What a gong show. We left by 1:30 and had to drive through flames, yet the order did not come for another hour. You lack credibility. Literal panic in our neighbourhood.
Many concerns were expressed about communication problems: We distrust the CSRD because of information gatekeeping, tone of messages, and lack of assistance or concern for lives and property. Terrible communication. BC Wildfire Service failed to provide honest information. The lesson we learned was we cannot trust the authorities; we need to trust our gut. Heard nothing from authorities and we had to run for our lives. We were left to burn. No words!
Much of the anger towards government is due to the counter-productive police state imposed upon the very residents who were doing their most to save homes and properties: Wildfire services fled, and we were left to our own devices to fight the fire. I only have a house today because of my neighbours who stayed behind and were on top of the creeping fires. Your policies and lack of support are a disgrace! Pressure to leave and threats made were unconscionable. Not advocating for the residents was complete disregard for the people who pay your salaries. How the CSRD treated these people was simply criminal.
Many of those that did evacuate also faced many problems, including property owners who are not B.C. residents and thus could not receive help: There was no option to receive support outside of Salmon Arm or Kamloops. After fighting the fire for 17 days straight, my husband was denied ESS except for 2 days. We were evacuated for a month and were refused compensation.
It is unlikely that North Shuswap residents will ever trust their regional district again after last year’s disaster, especially because of the mountains of red tape they are now faced with as they try to rebuild. The provincial government is aware of the critically important role that residents have during wildfires and have promised to provide, but have yet to deliver “pathways’ for locally trained people to play a role in wildfire response. While this report offers no understanding about why the evacuation order was delayed, hopefully the BC Ombudsperson’s Office will uncover the truth, given they are now investigating this issue based on my complaint.
This video on YouTube, encapsulates the over two-month-long wildfire in four minutes, and emphasizes the role that locals had in saving homes with a soundtrack by Caravan playwright, actor and musician Linz Kenyon.