The BC Agriculture Council has launched a standardized, digitally enabled Temporary Access Pass system designed to help local authorities and First Nations manage timely access to areas under evacuation order during emergencies.
Developed with input from 10 local authorities, First Nations, agricultural stakeholders, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the project builds on existing temporary access pass resources and a digital template concept originally developed by the Township of Spallumcheen. The result is a suite of Word-based and ArcGIS-enabled templates that provide local authorities and First Nations with practical, standardized tools for managing agricultural and other access needs during emergencies.
While temporary access pass systems have existed in various forms across British Columbia for many years, approaches have often differed between jurisdictions and been confusing for users. The new templates provide a consistent framework that can be adapted locally, helping streamline access management and improve coordination during emergency events.
“During an emergency, clarity and consistency are critical,” says Christine Fraser, mayor of the Township of Spallumcheen. “In 2021, the Township of Spallumcheen recognized a need for a better way to manage temporary access during emergencies and developed an online tool for our community. We then shared that initial online tool with the BC Agricultural Council to further develop the tool along with other local authorities because we saw the value of having a standardized approach that helps streamline access for agricultural producers and others while supporting coordinated decision-making across jurisdictions. By reducing confusion and creating a common process for all partners, this tool will help strengthen collaboration, build confidence among stakeholders, and support a more effective response when it matters most.”
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