A new 148 page review, named “Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in British Columbia” on the response to ongoing flooding, and wildfire season has been presented to the government.
There are 108 recommendations in the report, highlighting the need to have a closer relationship with First Nations as well as hiring more B.C. Wildfire Service staff.
But, a bigger problem in the north was communication, especially when it came to social media says Co-Chair George Abbott.
“This was an issue raised frequently and forcefully was misinformation generated on social media. Some of the stories were actually pretty gripping, where people heard that Cache Creek was being looted or Ashcroft had burnt to the ground.”
“I don’t think government has effectively understood and managed the opportunities on social media as we need to,” added Abbott.
“One of the recommendation in the report is around having a common hub that can generate common real-time information.”
During the wildfires, confusion was felt in Williams Lake because of communication problems, leading to misinformation being broadcasted on where people were being evacuated to and what routes to take.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
