Local Emergency Supports For Evacuees Expand With Provincial Funding

More than 57 First Nations and local governments will receive funding to improve and modernize emergency support services (ESS) for people evacuated from their homes during emergencies.

“British Columbians who are forced to evacuate their homes often rely on provincially funded emergency support services that are delivered in partnership with First Nations and local governments,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

“This funding will help communities build up capacity to better deliver these supports to people during very stressful situations as we continue modernizing and improving ESS.”

More than $2.2 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) will support communities to expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment, retention, and training, including in-house training, and the purchase of ESS equipment.

The funds will also support the modernization of local ESS programs to move toward digital registration and reporting through the Evacuee Registration and Assistance online tool.

This will help communities move to online ESS registration and allow direct payment to evacuees.

Additionally, funding will focus on promoting knowledge-sharing, enhancing mutual aid between communities, and allow applicants to act as host communities for evacuees.

North Island MLA Michele Babchuk welcomes the cash, saying no one wants to be in a situation where they are facing evacuation alerts and orders, but when it does happen, it is important that there are systems in place to support people when they need help.

The Strathcona Regional District, in partnership with Campbell River, Gold River, Sayward and surrounding First Nations are sharing almost $300,000, while the Comox Valley Regional District is receiving $25,000 in funding for a project titled “Hosting with Humility: Hosting Ourselves.”

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.