Access Permit Requests

ACCESS PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR EVACUATION ORDER AREAS

The Cariboo Regional District (“CRD”) Emergency Operations Centre (“EOC”) may, in limited and exceptional circumstances, authorize temporary access into an area subject to an Evacuation Order (“Evacuation Order Area”).

Evacuation Orders are issued to protect life and safety. Entry into these areas remains inherently dangerous.

Access may be considered for:

Critical infrastructure and utility operators requiring access to service, inspect, or repair essential equipment or sites;
Members of the agricultural sector requiring access to care for, move, feed, water, or check on livestock; and
Residents with a demonstrated and critical need.

All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Approval is discretionary and not guaranteed.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

a) Submit Application – Complete and submit the Temporary Access Permit Application Form to begin the review process.

b) EOC Review – The CRD EOC will review the application, typically within 72 hours or longer depending on conditions and operational requirements. The applicant may be contacted if additional information is required.

c) Receive Decision – The applicant will be notified once a decision has been made, whether the application is approved or denied.

d) Sign and Return Documents – If the application is approved, the applicant will receive the Voluntary Assumption of Risk, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement and all applicable Terms and Conditions. The applicant must carefully review, sign, and return all required documents to the CRD EOC.

e) Permit Issuance – Once all required documents have been received and accepted, permit issuance may take up to72 hours or longer depending on operational conditions.

f) Receive Permit and Instructions – If issued, the applicant will receive their permit along with all applicable instructions, terms, and conditions governing entry into the Evacuation Order Area.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ACCESS PERMIT APPLICATIONS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

No Guarantee of Entry and Authority to Deny Access – Entry into an Evacuation Order Area remains subject to operational conditions. A permit does not guarantee entry. Even with a valid permit, access may be denied or revoked at any time by the CRD EOC, checkpoint personnel, or responding agencies if conditions are unsafe or access is not operationally feasible. If you are denied entry or your access is revoked, you must contact the CRD EOC at 1-866-759-4977 to confirm whether your permit remains valid and to obtain further instructions.
Enter at Your Own Risk – Safety Not Guaranteed – A permit does not indicate that the Evacuation Order Area is safe. You are solely responsible for determining whether it is safe to enter or remain in the Evacuation Order Area. The CRD and all responding agencies make no representations or guarantees regarding safety or conditions.
Identification – Upon entering the Evacuation Order Area, you must present valid government-issued identification that matches your permit.
Check-in / Check-out Requirements – As a condition of access, you must check in and check out at the times and locations specified.
- You must check in at the designated location prior to entering the Evacuation Order Area;
- You must check out at the designated location upon exiting the Evacuation Order Area;
- You must comply with all timing requirements communicated to you; and
- Failure to check in or check out as required may result in immediate revocation of your permit, removal from the Evacuation Order Area, and denial of future access applications.
Personal Responsibility – If access is granted, you acknowledge that:
- You are solely responsible for your own safety and the safety of any individuals authorized under your permit;
- You must not rely on the CRD or responding agencies for monitoring, protection, or warning; and
- Emergency assistance may be limited or unavailable.
Monitoring Conditions and Evacuation – While in the Evacuation Order Area, you are required to:
- Maintain a written, viable evacuation plan (“Evacuation Plan”) that:
  - Clearly identifies all egress routes; and
  - Clearly identifies specific conditions or events that will require immediate evacuation (“Trigger Points”), including defined evacuation thresholds (“Thresholds”).
  - See: Emergency Planning Tools.
- Clearly communicate the Evacuation Plan to all individuals listed on the permit and ensure that they understand and are familiar with the Trigger Points, Thresholds, and all evacuation routes;
- Provide your Evacuation Plan to the CRD upon request;
- Continuously monitor current conditions, your evacuation routes, and any changes that may affect your safety at all times while in the Evacuation Order Area;
- Be prepared to evacuate at any time and without notice;
- Not rely on the CRD or any responding agency for monitoring, warning, or protection;
- Comply with all permit conditions and all directions issued by CRD staff and responding agencies;
- Carry your permit at all times and present it upon request; and
- Leave the Evacuation Order Area immediately if directed to do so or, in your own judgment, if conditions deteriorate or become unsafe.
Immediate Departure for Unsafe Conditions – If, in your own assessment, conditions deteriorate or become unsafe, you must immediately leave the Evacuation Order Area. After leaving, you must contact the CRD EOC at 1-866-759-4977 to confirm whether your permit remains valid and to obtain further instructions.
Emergency Directions Override Permit – A permit does not override new emergency instructions. If directed to leave, you must immediately exit the Evacuation Order Area. After leaving, you must contact the CRD EOC at 1-866-759-4977 to confirm whether your permit remains valid and to obtain further instructions.
Permit Revocation at Discretion of CRD EOC – Permits may be revoked at any time, without notice, at the discretion of the CRD EOC.
Additional Restrictions and Conditions – Additional restrictions or requirements may apply depending on location, hazard conditions, or the purpose of access.
Entry Eligibility and Access Restrictions – The following additional restrictions apply at all times:
- Persons under 19 years of age are not permitted to enter an Evacuation Order Area;
- Temporary Foreign Workers are not permitted to enter Evacuation Order Areas; and
- Only individuals specifically named on an approved permit are authorized to enter. No substitutions, additions, or transfers are permitted.
Non-Reliance and Acknowledgement – By applying for and accepting a permit, you acknowledge and agree that:
- Entry into the Evacuation Order Area is undertaken entirely at your own risk;
- You are solely responsible for determining whether it is safe for you to enter or remain in the Evacuation Order Area; and
- You must not rely on the CRD or any responding agency for access conditions, monitoring, warnings, or protection.
Legal and Documentation Requirements – As a condition of access to an Evacuation Order Area:
- All approved applicants must execute the Voluntary Assumption of Risk, Waiver, Release, and Indemnity Agreement (“Mandatory Waiver”);
- Mandatory Waivers must be completed prior to permit issuance; and
- Failure to complete required documentation will result in denial of access.
Failure to Comply – Failure to comply with any permit conditions or any directions from CRD staff or responding agencies may result in immediate action, including:
- Immediate revocation of the permit;
- Removal from the Evacuation Order Area; and
- Denial of future access applications.

Need Help?

If you need help completing the Access Permit Request Form, please contact the CRD EOC at 1-866-759-4977. Staff can assist you with the process and answer questions before you submit your request.