Emergency Management

As the City of Whitehorse continues to grow, it is important our community be prepared in the event of a serious emergency. While the City plans for various types of emergencies including wildfire, floods, climate emergencies, or other major events, residents can take a number of steps to ensure they are safe by being prepared.

During a disaster or emergency, stay up-to-date by checking out our Facebook or Twitter accounts, and the City website.

Please read our important safety documents:

If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

Whitehorse Alert is our mass notification system. It’s designed to quickly communicate time-sensitive information about events like fires, evacuation orders, road transportation emergencies or earthquakes.

When you register for Whitehorse Alert, you choose the best way to reach you when seconds count. That could be by text message, on your cell or home phone, or email. Read the Terms of Use.

Once registered for this service, it is important that you keep your account information up to date to ensure you receive all alerts that may affect you. This system is only as effective as the information entered.

Click on the image below to register today! If you would like more information or require assistance with creating an account, please email us at [email protected].

If you’re visiting Whitehorse, you can sign up to receive timely alerts for seven days by simply texting the keyword whitehorsealert to 67283. Message and data rates may apply.

Indicated locations are referenced for residents that lack the ability to evacuate the area on their own, or with friends and neighbours. Once an Evacuation Order has been issued for a designated location, transport will be arranged to stop at each Assembly location to pick up any residents that require transportation to a reception centre. These areas are not suitable for residents to drive to and park / leave vehicle as the area would quickly become congested. The transport vehicle(s) will return as often as required, and safety able to do so.

Assembly location dos:

  • Go quickly to the nearest Assembly location if you need a ride;
  • Let someone know that you have safely arrived at the Assembly location; and
  • Bring important documents and medications.

Assembly location dont’s:

  • Bring more belongings than you can easily carry yourself;
  • Bring pets that aren’t in a crate / container; and
  • Bring a vehicle or congregate on the road.

Maps

We have adopted a location technology called what3words to help find people in distress. what3words has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and given each square a unique what3words address. In the event of an emergency, users can identify exactly where they are by opening the app and reading the corresponding three words to an emergency responder. For more information, visit what3words.com.

Public Safety Protection Plan

A plan designed to provide guidance to the Emergency Operations Centre personnel, Mayor and Council where circumstances indicate that actions may be required to protect the life and health of residents and visitors. This document includes evacuation routes.

Emergency Management Plan

A guiding document to provide the earliest possible coordinated response in order to protect the community.

Crisis Communications Plan

This plan supports the existing Emergency Response Plan, and is intended to provide guidelines for quick communication to Whitehorse residents and visitors during an emergency.

Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy

The Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy aims to reduce wildfire risk within the City of Whitehorse, through a 4-year action plan.

Hazardous Identification and Risk Analysis

A HIRA enables an organization to improve their overall resiliency.