Regional District Highlights for for April 2026

PRRD and municipal partners invite residents to share experiences on local hazards at upcoming community events

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD), in collaboration with municipal partners, is inviting residents to help shape the region’s new Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA). Starting May 2, the PRRD is hosting six in-person community events to gather vital resident perspectives on local hazards. An online survey is open now to capture feedback, closing May 22, 2026.

Required by law under the Provincial Emergency and Disaster Management Act, the HRVA is a foundational tool used to calculate risk scores for hazards such as wildfires, flooding, windstorms and utility outages. While technical data determines the likelihood of a hazard occurring, resident feedback is essential for ‘consequence scoring’ – helping the PRRD understand the real-world impact these events have on residents and properties.

“Residents aren’t just identifying hazards, they are helping us understand the human cost,” says PRRD Board Chair Brad Sperling. “By sharing your past experiences and future concerns, you directly influence how we will prioritize our future emergency planning and mitigation efforts.” 

The public engagement for this project will:

• Inform risk scores: Use residents feedback to calculate risk
  levels
  
  
• Share key takeaways: Provide residents with early findings
  from the vulnerability assessment conducted by the project
  team
  
  
• Guide future actions: Identify the most important risk
  mitigation and emergency preparedness steps for the region
  
  

Engagement schedule and activities

Public engagement runs from April 23 to May 22, 2026, with six community events across the region and an online survey (open now). Those who participate will have a chance to win prizes.

Saturday, May 2 – Hudson Hope
Wildfire Community Preparedness BBQ, Hudson’s Hope Fire Hall, 10306 Kyllo Street from 11am–2pm

Sunday, May 3 – Buick Creek (Area B)
Joint FireSmart BBQ, Buick Creek Community Hall, 15288 Beatton Airport Road from 12pm-2pm

Monday, May 4 - Chetwynd
Project Open House, Chetwynd Public Library, 5012 - 46 Street from 2:30-5:30pm

Tuesday, May 5 – Pouce Coupe
Emergency Preparedness Open House, Fire Hall, 5012 - 49 Avenue from 4-7pm

Wednesday, May 6 - Taylor
Emergency Preparedness Week BBQ, Community Hall, 9896 Cherry Avenue West from 5:30-7:30pm

Thursday, May 7 – Dawson Creek
Risk-Themed Trivia Night at Post & Row Brewing Co., 801 - 102 Avenue from 7-9pm

Survey

Residents can share their feedback through an online survey, or by scanning the QR code, open April 23 to May 22, 2026 (3pm MST). Paper copies of the survey are available at community events, and at PRRD offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 - 100 Street).

Background

The HRVA is being developed by the PRRD in partnership with the City of Dawson Creek, District of Chetwynd, District of Hudson’s Hope, District of Tumbler Ridge and Village of Pouce Coupe, with
consultant support from Associated Engineering.

August 2026: A second round of engagement will take place to report back on “what we heard” and ask residents to prioritize specific emergency preparedness and risk reduction actions.

Summer 2027: A final public report will be released. This report will outline specific actions the PRRD and partners can take to reduce regional risks, as well as potential programs (such as training or subsidies) to help residents build their own household preparedness.

Next PRRD Board Meetings

• April 30, 2026 | 10am, Dawson Creek
• May 14, 2026 | 10am, Dawson Creek

Board meetings are streamed live on Facebook @OfficialPRRD

View all meeting information and agendas.