Emergency preparedness planning

British Columbia Hydro's Director of Dam Safety is responsible for ensuring the continuing safety of all of B.C. Hydro's 60 dams. Responsibilities include overall coordination of dam safety programs with an average annual operating budget and capital of $4 million and $12 million, respectively. Part of the dam safety program is the preparation and testing of emergency preparedness plans (EPPs). EPPs have been prepared and issued for all of B.C. Hydro's dams, and a schedule of updating and testing of EPPs is maintained. The EPPs of B.C. Hydro are described and their structures are summarized. Each EPP consists of eight sections: general, including background information; emergencies and response procedures; communications systems; power sources; inundation maps; warning systems; construction equipment; and a communications directory. Testing of EPPs includes routine notification, as well as operational exercises. A recent operational exercise on the Peace River, initiated by simulated failure of the W.A.C. Bennet Dam, is detailed. The exercise was coordinated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, local communities, including one in Alberta, other utilities and industry