Courtenay council has approved applying for up to $600 thousand in provincial grant funding through the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.

The proposed applications would be regional, with the City of Courtenay partnering with the Comox Valley Regional District, the Town of Comox, the Village of Cumberland, and K’ómoks First Nation.

If successful, the funding would support emergency preparedness, training, equipment, and planning across four program areas.

That includes strengthening Emergency Operations Centre and Emergency Support Services training and equipment, improving public notification and evacuation planning, and advancing Indigenous cultural safety and humility in emergency management.

Proposed activities outlined in the staff report include regional training exercises, equipment upgrades, enhanced emergency alert systems, and collaborative workshops with K’ómoks First Nation aimed at embedding culturally safe, trauma-informed practices throughout all phases of emergency response.

Council also agreed to participate as a joint applicant, with the primary applicant responsible for managing the funding on behalf of all partners.

Find the January 28, 2026, Council meeting highlights on at City of Courtenay.

To view agendas, videos, and minutes (once available) for each Council meeting, visit Courtenay Council Meetings.