Emergency Management
This page was last reviewed on January 6, 2025.
Under the BC Emergency Program Act, local governments are responsible for preparing local emergency plans respecting preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters in their communities.
Cumberland is a member of the Comox Valley Emergency Program that provides coordinated regional emergency programming to the Comox Valley. The region has an up-to-date Emergency Plan and Cumberland has its own Evacuation Plan that reflects current risks and resources in the community.
Emergency Notification Systems
Register for local emergency notifications directly to cell or landline phones through the CVRD’s Connect Rocket System: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/getnotified
Follow the Cumberland Emergency Program Facebook page for local wildfire information, evacuation alerts and notices.
Tune into local FM radios for bulletins.
Cumberland Evacuation Plan
In 2014, Cumberland developed a local evacuation plan in order to respond to events such as flooding and wildfire.
In this plan, the Village is divided into geographic sections for emergency personnel to notify residents of either:
- an evacuation alert to be ready to leave on short notice, and
- an immediate evacuation notice to leave the area immediately.
The Plan also provides for:
- establishing emergency reception centres and lodging facilities
- traffic control and evacuation routes
- identification for at-risk populations, such as long-term care facility residents
- standards for evacuation of neighbourhood homes
- evacuation perimeter and access control
Are you prepared for a wildfire evacuation?
- Build your grab and go bags for all members of your family, including pets, and be ready to leave on short notice.
- Make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicle to reach a reception centre in another community
- Make plans for travel with neighbours or friends if you don’t have a vehicle
- Close all windows and doors
- Hook up garden sprinklers but don’t turn them on (fire evacuation)
- Turn off lights and electrical appliances
- Move propane tanks away from your house (fire evacuation)
Personal Emergency Preparedness
During an emergency, you and your family could be on your own for an extended period of time. Emergency services may not be readily available, as increasing demands are placed on responders. It may take emergency workers some time to get to you as they help those in most critical need.
Find information on BC Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery and the PreparedBC website about how to get your family prepared in case of an emergency.
Wildfire Preparedness Guide from Prepared BC
Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide
Neighbourhoood Emergency Preparedness Program
The Comox Valley Emergency Program (CVEP) Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) and Guide. For more information visit the regional NEPP website
Active Emergencies
Flooding
During flood events, residents are asked to stay away from streams, creeks and other open water as they are flowing at flood levels and some bank erosion and undermining may occur.
Residents are asked to help prevent flooding by removing leaves and debris from catch basins on the roads and alleys as well as drains on your property.
For emergencies only call 250-702-3737. Sandbags are available upon request.
For all other inquiries, please call the Village office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 250-336-2291.
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