Locals urge Port Moody to create Emergency Access Plan

TROPICA’s Traffic Committee is urging the City of Port Moody to take action to address a critical gap in emergency preparedness for residents of the City’s northwest neighbourhoods.

At a delegation to City Council on May 13, 2025, the committee called attention to the life safety risks associated with repeated closures of Ioco Road — the sole point of access and egress for many residents in Pleasantside and surrounding areas.

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“Our community has been cut off during major incidents — whether it’s the result of a forest fire, extreme weather, a landslide, or a serious accident,” said the Chair of the Traffic Committee. “When Ioco Road is blocked, we are isolated. That delay in emergency response could cost lives.”

The Traffic Committee, formed in August 2024, cited years of concerns from local residents over repeated events that have obstructed Ioco Road. The delegation raised the alarm over the City’s lack of a transparent, actionable emergency access plan and emphasized the need for data-based solutions.

Key concerns raised:

· The lack of a publicly communicated emergency plan involving all levels of first responders.

· The lack of current consultation with the stakeholders, i.e., the residents, on a plan.

· The impact of a rise in population in the area due to new developments outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP) and in adjacent areas.

· The reliability of existing alternate routes under real-world conditions.

· Environmental consequences tied to emissions and delays caused by detour congestion.

The committee posed a direct question to City leadership: “What steps will Council take to mitigate the life safety threats, when the current options appear to be few and unreliable, as shown by the havoc caused by the minor closures we’ve experienced to date?”

Reaching out to multiple agencies — including the City’s Transportation Committee, Fire Rescue, Emergency Preparedness Office, and Police Department — the group says no emergency preparedness plan, specific to Port Moody has been provided. Attempts to contact BC Ambulance Services were unsuccessful.

The delegation requested a professional, locally developed emergency preparedness strategy that reflects current realities and is communicated to the public. “We’re asking for an emergency plan that’s made in Port Moody, by Port Moody, for Port Moody,” the committee stated.

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With continued population growth, climate-related disruptions, and increasing construction and population in the area, the need for a resilient emergency access strategy has never been more urgent. The committee hopes its presentation will serve as a turning point in how Port Moody assists in developing its resident’s education and participation in emergency preparedness.

TROPICA feels this must be in conjunction with first responders to truly be effective. They play a vital role with their firsthand knowledge of local infrastructure, hazards, and community needs and with their collaboration, realistic and inclusive strategies can be communicated to all concerned residents. Together, lives can be saved during a crisis. TROPICA, formed in 2018 is a Community Association for the residents of Pleasantside and Ioco communities. The Association’s goal is to connect neighbours through events and communication and to advocate to City Council for issues important to us all.

 Lorri Farquharson Petrie is a long-time Port Moody resident, current Port Moody business owner, retired insurance professional, and former volunteer firefighter.