Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Summary
- The Province has approved more than $1.3 million for 29 projects to support public-notification, evacuation-route planning in 36 communities
- Funding includes route mapping and improving or creating evacuation-route plans, creating or updating public-notification plans and running exercises to test and validate the plans
- Since 2017, approximately $7.8 million has supported 212 projects through this funding stream
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First Nations and local governments throughout the province will have improved evacuation-route and public-notification plans through an investment of more than $1.3 million for 29 projects, better preparing people and communities for emergencies.
“When an emergency hits, every moment counts, and people need to know where to go and how they’ll be warned,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “This funding helps communities build clearer evacuation-route plans and stronger public-notification plans. It means people throughout B.C. will have improved access to the information they need to get to safety quickly.”
Supporting local emergency planning
Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), the Province is providing funding to local governments and First Nations to develop and update evacuation-route plans and public-notification plans, and to test and verify these plans before disaster strikes.
“Emergency preparedness starts long before an evacuation order is issued,” said Cori Ramsay, president, Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). “Keeping evacuation-route plans current and ensuring residents know where to find trusted information are essential parts of protecting communities. UBCM welcomes this investment and the collaborative approach behind it.”
Communities receiving funding in 2026 include:
- Neskonlith Indian Band:
- developing an evacuation-route plan and public-notification plan to improve readiness in areas at high risk of wildfires
- the project will assess existing and alternative routes, identify risks and produce clear maps and guidance to improve safety, co-ordination and community resilience
- Kitimat:
- assessing transportation infrastructure, identifying primary and possible alternative evacuation corridors, engaging stakeholders and producing a formal evacuation-route plan aligned with provincial emergency-management standards
- Regional District of Fraser-Fort George:
- developing new evacuation-route and public-notification plans to strengthen emergency readiness
- Creston
- new evacuation-route plan to strengthen evacuation decision-making, along with a tabletop exercise to validate the plan
About the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund
The CEPF is a suite of funding programs that helps local governments and First Nations prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. In addition to public notification and evacuation-route planning, it also funds emergency operations centres and emergency support services. This fund is administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
This funding is part of B.C.’s continued commitment to strengthening climate readiness and keeping people safe as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
Quotes:
Chief Irvin Wai, Neskonlith Indian Band –
“Recent wildfire seasons have reinforced how important it is for Neskonlith to be prepared before an emergency occurs. This funding will help us identify safe primary and alternative evacuation routes, address potential risks and establish clear ways to notify our members when action is required. Having plans that reflect our community, our territory and our unique needs will strengthen our emergency preparedness and help keep our members, families and Elders safe.”
Trent Bossence, fire chief/emergency program co-ordinator, Kitimat –
“The funding received this year will allow the District of Kitimat to strengthen community preparedness by completing public-notification and evacuation-route planning. The project will help us develop clear, co-ordinated evacuation routes and improve how timely, accurate emergency information is shared with residents. By identifying potential challenges in advance and establishing practical plans, we will be better positioned to protect residents, support vulnerable populations and co-ordinate an effective response when an emergency affects our community.”
Lara Beckett, chair, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
“This funding for public-notification and evacuation-route planning will allow the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and our project partners to significantly enhance co-ordination and communication during emergency response. With this funding, we will develop new evacuation-route and public-notification plans that consider the unique needs of our region and residents. Project partners include the Village of McBride, Village of Valemount, District of Mackenzie and the Simpcw First Nations.”
Asha DeLisle, emergency management and climate readiness co-ordinator, Creston –
“The funding will be used to develop an evacuation-route plan, further strengthening the Town of Creston’s ability to respond to emergencies. The plan will help support a co-ordinated and effective response to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure, enhancing community resilience.”
Quick Facts:
- Since its launch in 2017, the Province has provided more than $351 million in the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. Including this intake, the CEPF has supported more than 2,800 projects.
- CEPF projects support the Emergency and Disaster Management Act by strengthening community preparedness.
Learn More:
- For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf
- For information about disaster- and climate-risk reduction, visit ClimateReadyBC: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca
- For information about how to prepare for emergencies, visit: https://PreparedBC.ca
A backgrounder follows.
