Strengthening emergency support for evacuees

Press Release

April 16, 2026

VICTORIA –

Summary

• The Province is providing nearly $2.5 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for 54 Emergency Support Services projects
• Funding will support the purchase of Emergency Support Services equipment for communities throughout B.C., volunteer recruitment and training
• Through this fund, since 2017, more than $21 million has supported more than 650 Emergency Support Services projects throughout the province

The Province is providing nearly $2.5 million to strengthen emergency support services, helping communities throughout B.C. better support people displaced by emergencies.

“When people have to leave their homes during an emergency, they need support to be available quickly,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “This funding helps communities prepare to deliver that support, from recruiting and training volunteers to equipment and supplies for reception centres and group lodging, helping ensure assistance is ready when people need it most.”

Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), the Province is supporting 54 projects for 88 communities under the Emergency Support Services (ESS) Equipment and Training stream. This funding will help communities expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment and retention, volunteer training and the purchase of ESS equipment and supplies. This can include equipment and supplies such as IT equipment, hygiene kits, bedding, pillows and storage bins.

Supporting people when emergencies happen

Emergency support services provide essential help to people evacuated from their homes, including registration, referrals, food, clothing, shelter and emotional support. Local governments and First Nations deliver these services with the help of trained volunteers.

“Emergency support services rely on people and practical readiness,” said Cori Ramsay, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities. “This funding helps communities strengthen both, by supporting trained volunteers and ensuring the right equipment is in place before emergencies happen. Local governments and First Nations know their communities best, and this program gives them the tools to be better prepared to support people when they need it most.”

Projects funded in 2026 include:

• Dzawada’enuxw First Nation:
  • establishing an emergency support services team in Kingcome Inlet by funding training, essential responder equipment and a mobile storage trailer to strengthen community readiness
• District of Wells:
  • building capacity to serve as a host community during emergencies by acquiring a support trailer, training volunteers in emergency support services and equipping responders with essential supplies
• Tla’amin Nation:
  • establishing emergency support services capability by recruiting and training volunteers and procuring essential equipment to provide culturally grounded support for evacuees in the ferry-dependent community
• Dease River First Nation:
  • acquiring an evacuation support trailer and supplies to build local hosting capacity, along with training and exercises to prepare the community for emergencies
• Golden:
  • supporting Emergency Support Services volunteer capacity through participation in volunteer-development opportunities and regional training exercises, along with IT upgrades, branded materials and initiatives to enhance volunteer recruitment, retention and development

With this funding, communities throughout B.C. will be better equipped to help people when emergencies happen.

Quotes:

Sarah Peterson, fire program co-ordinator and emergency management assistant, Dzawada’enuxw First Nation –

“This funding has been instrumental in helping Dzawada’enuxw First Nation build emergency support services capacity in our remote community of Kingcome Inlet. Support received in 2024 allowed us to begin training, planning, and strengthening local response readiness. It has already improved our ability to prepare for emergencies and support community members when needed. With this year’s funding, we will continue building a stronger ESS team, secure essential equipment, and improve long-term community resilience.”

Ed Coleman, mayor, District of Wells –

“This funding for Building Capacity in Emergency Support Services will allow Wells to significantly enhance residents access to Emergency Support Services in times of need. By helping develop mobile-service delivery and strengthening the ability to recruit and equip volunteers, we will strengthen our community’s resilience and be able to better serve our residents in their time of need.”

Brandon Louie, legislator and community services house post, Tla’amin Nation –

“Tla’amin territory sits near the end of the road on Highway 101. We are a semi remote ferry-dependent community, and when something goes wrong, we have only ourselves to depend on. This funding will help our Nation recruit and train our members to care for our community in culturally safe ways during emergencies, and to strengthen co-ordination with regional emergency service partners.”

Trevor Moon, operations and emergency response manager, Dease River First Nation –

“Good Hope Lake had two large wild fires in recent years and we certainly learned how unprepared we were. Now, with this funding, we will be better prepared, we will build local community capacity, and will do what we can to assist other local communities when needed and possible. This will strengthen our resilience in technical terms but also in pride in knowing we can look after ourselves in emergencies.”

Karen Cathcart, Electoral Area A director, Columbia Shuswap Regional District; Golden and Area Emergency Management Program –

“This funding will strengthen Golden and Area A’s emergency preparedness by supporting equipment upgrades, training and volunteer recruitment for our Emergency Support Services program. These investments will help make sure our team is well equipped, well trained and ready to provide timely, co-ordinated support to residents during emergencies, when it matters most.”

For more information about volunteer opportunities in emergency support services, contact your local government or First Nation.

Quick Facts:

• CEPF is a suite of funding programs that helps local governments and First Nations prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate.
• The Province has committed $369 million into all the streams of CEPF since it was established in 2017.
• Including this intake, almost $350 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,700 projects throughout the province.
• In addition to ESS, the CEPF includes funding for emergency operations centres, volunteer and composite fire departments, public notification and evacuation route planning, and foundations in disaster risk reduction.
• The CEPF is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities on behalf of the Province.

Learn More:

For more information about Emergency Support Services, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/ess

For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Media Relations
250-880-6430

BACKGROUNDER

Emergency support services training, equipment recipients

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) supports projects that strengthen the resilience of First Nations and local governments in responding to and preparing for disasters and climate change. This funding is administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

Communities throughout British Columbia will receive nearly $2.5 million from the Emergency Support Services (ESS) Training and Equipment stream as follows:

Regional: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District – Group lodging and registration equipment, health and safety equipment and volunteer recognition
Sub-applicant: Port Alberni
Approved amount: $60,000

Cariboo Regional District – Volunteer retention and development opportunity
Approved amount: $23,738

Regional: Central Kootenay Regional District – Training, volunteer recruitment and group lodging equipment
Sub-applicant: Castlegar, Creston, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, New Denver, Salmo, Silverton, Slocan
Approved amount: $220,195

Regional: Central Okanagan Regional District – Reception centre and group lodging equipment and training
Sub-applicant: Peachland, Kelowna, Lake Country, Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna
Approved amount: $180,000

Chawathil First Nation – Trailer, registrant training and evacuee supplies
Amount: $29,995

Chilliwack – Personal protective equipment and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $10,921

Columbia Shuswap Regional District – Volunteer development opportunity, training and IT equipment
Approved amount: $28,448

Regional: Comox Valley Regional District – Personal protective equipment, group lodging supplies, training and recruitment
Sub-applicants: K’omoks First Nation, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland
Approved amount: $150,000

Coquitlam – ESS service improvements and trauma-informed training
Approved amount: $25,000

Regional: Cowichan Valley Regional District – Group lodging equipment upgrades, mental health supports, training and development opportunity
Sub-applicants: Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan
Approved amount: $150,000

Dease River First Nation – ESS evacuation support trailer
Approved amount: $30,000

Delta – Group lodging supplies and cultural humility training
Approved amount: $29,352

Dzawada’enuxw First Nation – Training and essential ESS responder equipment
Approved amount: $30,000

Regional: East Kootenay Regional District – IT equipment, training and volunteer recruitment and development opportunity
Sub-applicants: Cranbrook, Invermere, Kimberley
Approved amount: $120,000

Fort Nelson First Nation – ESS evacuation support trailer
Approved amount: $30,000

Golden – Volunteer development opportunity, regional training exercises and IT upgrades
Approved amount: $29,056

Heiltsuk Nation – Emergency food supplies and essential equipment
Approved amount: $29,930

Hope – Training, equipment and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations – Mobile ESS trailer and climate control equipment
Approved amount: $29,775

Kamloops – Reception centre equipment and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Kitimat-Stikine Regional District – IT equipment, emergency shelter supplies and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $29,701

Kootenay-Boundary Regional District – Volunteer development opportunity, training exercise and reception centre and group lodging kits
Approved amount: $30,000

Langford – Team training, leadership development and essential equipment
Approved amount: $28,400

Langley Township – Mobile reception centre kits and exercise
Approved amount: $30,000

McLeod Lake Indian Band – Volunteer development opportunity and equipment
Approved amount: $30,000

Merritt – Reception centre equipment and volunteer recruitment and development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Nak’azdli Whut’en – IT equipment and joint ESS grant
Approved amount: $10,000

Neskonlith Indian Band – ESS trailer and orientation exercise
Approved amount: $29,787

Okanagan Indian Band – Mobile connectivity upgrades and volunteer recruitment and development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Regional: Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District – IT equipment, volunteer recognition and training
Sub-applicants: Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, Osoyoos Indian Band, Penticton, Princeton, SnPink’tn, Summerland, Upper Similkameen Indian Band
Approved amount: $300,000

Regional: Parksville – Training, cultural safety learning, personal protective equipment and volunteer development opportunity
Sub-applicant: Qualicum Beach
Approved amount: $42,368

Prince George – ESS equipment, volunteer retention activities and exercises
Approved amount: $30,000

Prophet River First Nation – Evacuation support trailer
Approved amount: $30,000

Revelstoke – Volunteer recruitment and development opportunity and communications equipment
Approved amount: $21,331

Saanich – Evacuee registration and assistance tool enhancements, training and volunteer recruitment and recognition
Approved amount: $30,000

Seabird Island Band – Comfort kits, training and development opportunity
Approved amount: $12,241

Sékw’elw’as – Evacuation support supplies
Approved amount: $30,000

Sema:th First Nation – Evacuee registration and assistance tool training, volunteer retention activities and IT equipment
Approved amount: $30,000

Shxw’ōwhámel First Nation – Introductory training, essential supplies and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $28,469

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw – Training and culturally appropriate group lodging supplies
Approved amount: $30,000

Sooke – IT equipment, training and volunteer recruitment and retention
Approved amount: $30,000

Spuzzum First Nation – ESS evacuation support trailer
Approved amount: $30,000

Stz’uminus First Nation – Group lodging preparedness supplies, training and volunteer recruitment
Approved amount: $29,800

Sunshine Coast Regional District – Group lodging supplies and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Tk’emlups te Secwepemc – IT equipment, training supplies and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Tla’amin Nation – ESS capacity building: equipment, training, exercise and volunteer development opportunity
Approved amount: $30,000

Tofino – Responder readiness equipment, training and exercises
Approved amount: $30,000

Tsilhqot’in National Government – Cultural care kits and ESS IT equipment
Approved amount: $30,000

Tsleil-Waututh Nation – Group lodging supplies and safety-focused training
Approved amount: $29,992

Vanderhoof – Reception centre setup equipment, communications and training
Approved amount: $30,000

Victoria – Volunteer recruitment and recognition and group lodging supplies
Approved amount: $15,287

Wells – Reception centre trailer, training and volunteer recruitment
Approved amount: $29,329

Williams Lake – Reception centre supplies and volunteer recognition and development opportunity
Approved amount: $28,457

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it – Group lodging supplies, personal protective equipment and training
Approved amount: $25,520

Contact:

Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Media Relations
250-880-6430

ILR5