Emergency operations centres investments benefit B.C. communities

Press Release

July 9, 2021

VICTORIA – Local governments and First Nations in 54 communities have been approved to receive their share of more than $1.8 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support the work of emergency operations centres.

The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to buy equipment and supplies to maintain or improve their emergency operations centres and to enhance the capacity of these local emergency co-ordination hubs through training and exercises.

“This funding for emergency operations centres is crucial, and it will give communities a boost in their ability to respond,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Though the approval of funding for these projects has been going on for some time, recent extreme wildfire events demonstrate just how vital emergency operations centres are in responding to emergencies.”

Since the September 2017 Budget update, communities and governments throughout B.C. have received more than $67 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The successful applicants for the latest round of funding hail from every part of B.C.

“Emergency operations centres are the hub of response and recovery in an emergency event,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “This is how responders and experts are able to come together day to day and work together to get a community through the worst times and find a path forward. This funding is going to help them improve those operations so they can respond to whatever emergencies come their way.”

The CEPF is a suite of programs designed to enhance the resiliency of local governments, First Nations communities and their residents. The Province provides the funding, which is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and divided into seven streams:

Flood risk assessment, flood mapping and flood mitigation planning
Emergency support services
Emergency operations centres and training
Structural flood mitigation
Evacuation route planning
Indigenous cultural safety and cultural humility training
Volunteer and composite fire departments equipment and training

More information on the CEPF program can be found on the UBCM website: https://www.ubcm.ca/EN/index.html

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Emergency Management BC
Media Relations
250 880-6430

BACKGROUNDER

54 proposals approved for emergency operations centre (EOC), training projects

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Port Alberni – Alberni Valley EOC enhancement
Total approved funding: $38,731.75

Bowen Island – Mount Gardner repeater
Total approved funding: $25,000

Bulkley-Nechako Regional District – EOC crisis communication equipment acquisition
Total approved funding: $25,000

Capital Regional District – Electoral Area EOC functional exercises
Total approved funding: $25,000

Clearwater – Equipment and EOC training
Total approved funding: $24,958.54

Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Tribes, Duncan, North Cowichan, Malahat First Nation, Lake Cowichan, Stz’uminus First Nation, Ladysmith – Regional emergency communications enhancements
Total approved funding: $199,925

Esk’etemc First Nation – EOC preparedness 2021
Total approved funding: $25,000

Fraser Lake – EOC backup power and generator trailer
Total approved funding: $25,000

Fraser Valley Regional District – Dedicated EOC and activation training
Total approved funding: $25,000

Glen Vowell Band – Sik-E-Dakh emergency operations
Total approved funding: $25,000

Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw First Nation – EOC kit and training
Total approved funding: $24,502

Hudson’s Hope – Capability upgrade and training
Total approved funding: $23,560

Kent – Generator backup
Total approved funding: $25,000

Lillooet – Capacity Building Program
Total approved funding: $25,000

Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band – Emergency Management Program
Total approved funding: $25,000

Lumby – EOC exercise 2021
Total approved funding: $24,800

Metchosin – EOC communications and facility resources
Total approved funding: $24,300

Midway – EOC project
Total approved funding: $25,000

Mission – Secondary EOC
Total approved funding: $24,158.78

Nanaimo Regional District – Training and exercise enhancement
Total approved funding: $18,200

North Okanagan Regional District – Emergency power supply
Total approved funding: $25,000

Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District, Summerland, Keremeos, Princeton, Oliver, Osoyoos – Training and integrated virtual EOC needs assessment
Total approved funding: $133,800

Old Massett Village Council – Equipment for EOC trailer
Total approved funding: $17,092.48

Pauquachin First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tsawout First Nation, Tseycum First Nation – EOC setup
Total approved funding: $100,000

Peace River Regional District – Alternate EOC upgrade
Total approved funding: $18,500

Penticton – EOC and staff enhancement
Total approved funding: $25,000

Pitt Meadows – Primary EOC workstations
Total approved funding: $25,000

Port Coquitlam – Training and exercise program plan and facility upgrades
Total approved funding: $21,972

Port Hardy – Training and centre improvements
Total approved funding: $22,395.62

Port McNeill – Secondary power/mobile EOC
Total approved funding: $20,000

Port Moody – Natural progression of EOC skillsets tabletop
Total approved funding: $24,896.19

qathet Regional District – Public emergency communications system establishment and training
Total approved funding: $25,000

Quatsino First Nation – EOC equipment
Total approved funding: $25,000

Queen Charlotte – Generator for Queen Charlotte EOC
Total approved funding: $25,000

Saulteau First Nations – Emergency power supply for band hall
Total approved funding: $25,000

Sicamous – Emergency Operations Centre
Total approved funding: $25,000

Simpcw First Nation – Emergency Response Centre upgrades and training
Total approved funding: $25,000

Skuppah Indian Band – EOC communications preparedness equipment/training
Total approved funding: $21,410.23

Smithers, Telkwa – EOC Resiliency Project
Total approved funding: $50,000

Snaw-Naw-As First Nation – Nanoose First Nation’s EOC development project
Total approved funding: $24,316.69

Squamish – Intensive training program
Total approved funding: $25,000

Squamish Nation – Mobile EOC
Total approved funding: $24,648.32

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District – Backup generator for alternate EOC, CISM training
Total approved funding: $25,000

Stewart – EOC preparedness
Total approved funding: $25,000

Tl’azt’en Nation – EOC development
Total approved funding: $24,900

Tofino – EOC communications, training and equipment
Total approved funding: $25,000

Tsawwassen First Nation – EOC display
Total approved funding: $3,200.90

Tsilhqot’in National Government, Tl’esqox First Nation, Tŝideldel First Nation, Yunesit’in Government, Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, ?Esdilagh, Tl’esqox First Nation –
EOC equipment project
Total approved funding: $149,932.16

Tzeachten First Nation – Solar power kit for EOC
Total approved funding: $18,407.38

Vernon – 2021 EOC and training project
Total approved funding: $25,000

West Moberly First Nations – EOC communications project
Total approved funding: $25,000

Whistler – Radio communications upgrade
Total approved funding: $25,000

White Rock – Training/exercise and equipment/supplies updates
Total approved funding: $25,000

Williams Lake First Nation – Emergency Operations Capacity Building Initiative
Total approved funding: $24,307

Contact:

Emergency Management BC
Media Relations
250 880-6430

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