The Province of British Columbia is funding 110 emergency preparedness projects across 138 communities this year, with close to $3.5 million going toward local emergency operations centres, or EOCs, the hubs that coordinate response when disaster strikes.
The money flows through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
“Emergency operations centres are the backbone of a co-ordinated response when an emergency happens,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “This funding will help local governments and First Nations with the equipment, training and exercises they need to run their emergency operations centres effectively.”
In northern B.C., Smithers, Houston, Fort St. John and Burns Lake are each receiving close to $30,000 for staff training and emergency exercises. The Kitimat-Stikine Regional District is investing in audio/visual equipment, a rapid damage assessment kit and satellite communications, while the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District is adding IT and communications gear.
Several First Nations are also expanding their emergency response capacity. Witset First Nation is building a fully equipped and staffed EOC with new IT and video conferencing equipment. Gingolx Village Government is adding a mobile trailer, generator and PPE, and Dease River First Nation is setting up a portable EOC kit with orientation training.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is upgrading its mobile EOC trailer with new furniture and equipment. “This year’s funding will upgrade our mobile emergency operations centre trailer with essential furniture and equipment, enhancing regional readiness and resilience,” said Terry Cavaliere, the municipality’s Natural Resources/FireSmart and Emergency Program coordinator, noting the improvements will also benefit Prophet River and Fort Nelson First Nations.
Since 2017, the Province has committed $369 million through the fund, supporting more than 2,800 projects across B.C.
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