City seeks bids for study on Tsunami Risk for the community

The City of Prince Rupert is preparing to conduct as study on
the Risk from Tsunami for the community

Fire Chief Dave McKenzie will be overseeing the latest request for bids from the City of Prince Rupert, with the head of the Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue Service set to review the proposals to deliver a report on any Tsunami Risk for the City.

The Bid posted to the BC Bid website this week is calling for a Tsunami Flood Risk Assessment, a project that should review eight key elements as part of its main focus:

To analyze data specific to the geography of the region to determine the potential levels of inundation and tidal velocities during a high water event in the Prince Rupert harbour;

Indicate the level of hazard in the area as well as the potential risk to the affected communities;

Identify areas in which the risk tolerance is unacceptable and form the basis for mitigative actions in the future;

Identify key infrastructure affected; (v) Identify and inform emergency response program development;

Inform current and future land use planning, including official community plans, zoning, bylaws and development permits;

To support the detail in the Risk Assessment Information Template (RAIT) assisting all levels of government in making more informed decisions;

To educate the public surrounding risk and steps to take in case of emergency.

As part of the project, the successful candidate will be tasked to deliver some desired methodologies for the City when it comes to Tsunami risk among those themes:

Hazard Identification
Vulnerability Analysis
Likelihood Assessment
Risk Assessment

Climate change is expected to be part of the focus of the report as well, with the finished document also expected to review the impact it can have on any risk.

The successful applicant should assess potential climate considerations by reviewing global practices of tsunami awareness planning as it relates to climate change, and incorporate considerations relevant to a local context. 1.2

To identify the potential impacts of climate change, all data collection in the development of potential emergency scenarios and outcomes will take into account the most recently available scientific predictions related to climate change. 

It is anticipated that focus will be on long-term changes in coastal water levels due to regional tectonic processes, global eustatic sea level rise, storm surge frequency and intensity, glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), and the El Niño-La Niña cycle. These scenarios, which reflect potential future 'worst cases' will be incorporated into emergency response planning.

The timeline for the project spans the course of nineteen months, with the initial deadline for submissions from consultants coming up next month on October 10th.

From there the selection process should indicate a successful candidate and hiring of the consultant by October 30th.

The work on the project is to start in November with a Draft report expected by early February and the final Report delivered toward September of next year.

Fire Chief Dave McKenzie will present the final Report to Council before the end of November of 2018.

From that point the city will review the information provided and examine the current Emergency management documents to incorporate any of the new data that has been assembled.

A public information campaign is also to be included as part of the final portion of the project's life with local stakeholders then to be provided with any updated plans.

You can review the full request for proposals from the BC Bid website

Some background on past bid requests from the City can be reviewed here.

For more items related to City Council Discussion topics see our archive page here.