Residents of nearly 30 communities will be safer during emergencies with provincial funding for emergency operations centres that will enhance local governments’ and First Nations’ response to emergencies.

Emergency operations centres (EOCs) are essential for emergency response, acting as the main hub where local leaders and representatives work together to co-ordinate plans and resources. They help to protect communities during emergencies by providing crucial support to first responders and ensuring a unified and efficient response to crises.

“It is encouraging to see so many local governments and First Nations prioritizing their emergency operations centres,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “These EOCs are vital during disasters, providing fundamental co-ordination and support to ensure the safety of everyone in the community. This provincial funding will help support improvements that help communities respond more swiftly and effectively during emergencies.”

The Province is providing approximately $1.4 million to 29 B.C. communities for emergency preparedness, including new supplies for local EOCs and training exercises to support staff and increase efficiency.

Funded through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), investments will support projects in 29 communities throughout the province, including:

• purchasing a generator and essential support equipment for uninterrupted EOC functionality to strengthen the resilience and operational capacity of the Big White fire department as a central emergency-response hub within the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary;
• acquiring and installing a generator, TV monitors and support equipment to ensure uninterrupted EOC functionality, and providing certified emergency-management training for staff and facilitated tabletop EOC exercises for community training for Sema:th First Nation;
• establishing a 24/7 EOC in the Oliver town hall with necessary infrastructure and supplies, and providing additional emergency-management training and conducting an annual exercise with a facilitator and support for partners, such as the Osoyoos Indian Band; and
• purchasing portable sound equipment, safety vests and installing earthquake-resistant enhancements; developing a community Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team to support Regional EOC operations and staff; hosting a workshop on First Nation principles of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP); and hosting multiregional evacuation exercises with Tla'amin and K'omoks First Nations.

“This joint funding will champion the creation of a community CISM team and sustain a collaborative, people-centred approach to training, exercises and resource sharing,” said Cari McIntyre, emergency planning co-ordinator, Comox Valley Emergency Management. “It will also help our continuous development of trauma-informed, response-ready partnerships that support regional disaster risk reduction initiatives with neighbouring communities and external agency organizations.”

The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017. More than $224 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments through the CEPF for approximately 2,000 projects. Since 2017, approximately $16.3 million has been invested to support local EOCs.

The CEPF helps communities better prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of, climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. In addition to EOC equipment and training, other categories include:

• disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation;
• public notification and evacuation-route planning;
• Indigenous cultural safety and cultural-humility training; and
• emergency support-services equipment and training.

The CEPF is administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities on behalf of the Province.

Quotes:

Martin Johansen, mayor, Oliver –

“As a community in one of Canada’s only deserts and in a region that experiences emergencies annually, this important provincial investment from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund will support the Town of Oliver with continuing to develop a standalone, year-round emergency operations centre to support our residents during disasters and emergencies. With a small tax base, this funding will support the town’s purchase of equipment for the new EOC and provide training to town staff.”

Jenna Noppen, disaster recovery manager, Sema:th First Nation –

“We are grateful for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, which has enabled us to establish a fully-equipped and functional emergency operations centre. This support, along with essential training for our staff and leadership has greatly enhanced our ability to respond effectively in crises, ensuring our community’s safety and preparedness.” 

Trish Mandewo, president, UBCM –

“Communities across B.C. are working hard to build resiliency to deal with emergencies, in part by outfitting emergency operation centres with necessary equipment, and building capacity through training and exercises. This fund is a welcome support to that work.”

Josh Foster, fire chief, Big White –

“Big White Fire Department used funding from the CEPF to set up the firehall as a backup emergency operations centre and command post for emergencies in the eastern region of the RDKB, ensuring the district can see to the safety of residents and visitors in the region.”

Learn More:

For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf

A backgrounder follows.