Office of the Premier
People in approximately 100 communities will be safer during emergencies with provincial funding that will better equip local governments and First Nations to respond to emergencies.
“As we move into the wildfire season, we know that many communities may need to activate their emergency operations centres (EOC) to respond and support people in their areas,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Local emergency operations centres are crucial for co-ordinating emergency response to keep people safe. This funding will help communities support responders on the ground and better protect people in emergency situations.”
The Province is providing approximately $2.7 million to communities in B.C. for emergency-preparedness initiatives, such as new supplies for local emergency operations centres and conducting training and exercises to support staff and enhance capacity. Emergency operations centres are a vital part of local emergency response, bringing together representatives and leaders to co-ordinate actions and resources, and to support first responders.
“This funding will help to grow communications capacity in our Lhtako Dene Nation emergency operations command centre, which was established last year,” said Bruce McDonald, lands and natural resource manager, Lhtako Dene First Nation. “It will help us initiate reliable means of communication with neighbouring Nations in the Quesnel area so we can better support them during times of emergency and need.”
Funded through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), investments will support 80 projects in approximately 100 communities in the province, including:
- continued expansion of the emergency operations command centre through the purchase of new radios and supplies, and volunteer radio and EOC training for the Lhtako Dene First Nation;
- new equipment installation and emergency operations centre training for several communities in the Cariboo Regional District, including satellite connectivity for more reliable internet during emergencies;
- purchase and installation of equipment for two radio towers to enhance communication capability during emergencies, and community evacuation and EOC training for staff in the Sunshine Coast Regional District;
- a new trailer to transport supplies and equipment, and a new backup generator for community EOCs in Nlaka'pamux Nation; and
- new equipment, such as laptops and a mobile EOC kit, for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District emergency operations centre, which was activated for more than 80 days during the 2023 wildfire and spring flooding season.
“This funding will enhance the Akisqnuk First Nation community and staff to strengthen emergency-management education and response for both minor and major emergency situations,” said Thomas Dobbin, emergency program co-ordinator for Akisqnuk First Nation. “This initiative aims to foster greater collaboration and training opportunities with neighbouring local governments.”
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 emergency operations centre 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 BC Municipalities (UBCM) on behalf of the Province.
The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017. More than $217 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments through the CEPF for more than 1,970 projects. More than half of the funding has gone to communities since December 2022, demonstrating the Province’s commitment to ramping up defences against climate emergencies in B.C. Since 2017, approximately $14.9 million has been invested to support local emergency operations centres.
Quotes:
Monique Weir, emergency program co-ordinator, City of Mission –
“The City of Mission is pleased to be receiving a grant from the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund in conjunction with Leq:a’mel First Nation. With this funding, Mission and Leq:a’mel will engage in joint emergency operations centre training and exercises. This training will be instrumental in building emergency-response resilience within our own communities and will promote collaboration and mutual aid support between our communities. We are grateful for this opportunity to train together.”
Ross Siemens, mayor of Abbotsford –
“It’s imperative our staff are trained so they can provide instant support for our community when an emergency operations centre is activated. The city of Abbotsford benefitted from this first-hand with the 2021 floods. We are grateful to UBCM and the B.C. government for this funding so that we can continue to provide enhanced training for our staff, and our First Nations neighbours can do the same.”
Kevin Sampson, emergency program manager, Nlaka’pamux Health Services Society –
“The program will bolster much-needed resources to the communities involved. It will help strengthen collaboration opportunities through collective training, exercises and capacity building among the applicant participants, as well as the neighbouring communities in the area. The essential equipment acquired will support the emergency operations centre teams by enhancing the response efforts and streamlining co-ordination among the section chiefs and external agencies.”
Leonard Lee, board chair, Sunshine Coast Regional District –
“This funding from the CEPF really helps invest in community emergency preparedness. This year, funding will allow for investments in emergency radio equipment and emergency operations centre training. Being able to provide this training in the community will not only allow for more participation from local first responders, but will also strengthen our training program for the years ahead.”
Kevin Skrepnek, manager of community and emergency services, Thompson-Nicola Regional District –
“As a region that has experienced numerous disasters in recent years, the support we receive through the CEPF program is a crucial lifeline for our emergency-management efforts. Given our vast area and small rural tax base, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has limited funding options to properly outfit our emergency operations centre and response personnel. Equipment such as satellite phones, portable generators and radios are critical tools that help us protect public safety during emergencies.”
Learn more:
For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf
A backgrounder follows.
