As defined by the Assistance to Shelter Act [SBC 2009] Chapter 32:

Extreme weather alert by community representative

2   (1)In this section, “extreme weather conditions” has the meaning under paragraph (a) (i) of the definition of “extreme weather conditions” in section 1.

     (2) A community representative designated for the geographical area to which an Extreme Weather Response Plan applies may do all of the following:

          (a) determine when extreme weather conditions exist;
          (b) if, in the opinion of the community representative, extreme weather conditions exist, issue an extreme weather alert in the prescribed manner;
          (c) immediately after issuing an extreme weather alert, notify, in the prescribed manner, the following that an extreme weather alert has been issued:
                    (i)all of the police forces in the geographical area to which the Extreme Weather Response Plan applies;
                    (ii)the minister;

          (d) determine when extreme weather conditions no longer exist;
          (e) if, in the opinion of the community representative, extreme weather conditions no longer exist, cancel the extreme weather alert in the prescribed manner;
          (f) immediately after cancelling an extreme weather alert, notify, in the prescribed manner, the following that an extreme weather alert has been cancelled:
                   (i)all of the police forces in the geographical area to which the Extreme Weather Response Plan applies;
                   (ii)the minister.

Assessment if person is person at risk

5   (1)If an extreme weather alert has been issued under section 2 or 3 and is in effect, a police officer may assess whether a person is a person at risk.

     (2)In an assessment under subsection (1), a police officer must consider whether all of the following apply:
         (a)the person is in the geographical area to which the extreme weather alert applies;
         (b)the person is, or reasonably appears to be, 19 years of age or older;
         (c)the person, in the opinion of the police officer, is suffering physical harm or is at risk of suffering physical harm because of the extreme weather conditions;
        (d)any other prescribed considerations.

Visit bclaws.gov.bc.ca for a full description of the Assistance to Shelter Act.