Stronger Local Emergency Response, Recovery Keeps People Safer

More than 100 local governments and First Nations will benefit from provincial funding to support and enhance the work of local emergency operations centres.

“We know significant costs are associated with emergency planning, mitigation, response and recovery for communities – including at local emergency operations centres. Emergency operations centres are the hub of response and recovery during an emergency, staffed by our hard-working partners in local governments and First Nations,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

“These projects made possible through our Community Emergency Preparedness Fund will help better protect and keep people safe in the event of an emergency.”

The province says significant costs are associated with emergency planning, mitigation, response, and recovery for communities – including at local emergency operations centres.

Nearly $3 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) will go to local governments and First Nations throughout B.C. and will assist in purchasing and installing equipment and supplies to maintain or improve centres as well as training and exercises to increase capacity.

The Emergency operations centres are an essential part of emergency response, where representatives come together to co-ordinate actions and resources, and support people responding on the ground.

Funding will go to 78 projects benefiting more than 100 communities throughout B.C.

In February, the Province committed a further $180 million to CEPF, bringing the total investment to $369 million since it was established in 2017.

Approximately $116 million through CEPF has been approved for First Nations and local governments for almost 1,500 projects that help communities mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate-related emergencies.

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