How do you safely evacuate an entire neighbourhood or whole town when a disaster is just moments away?
That害羞草研究所檚 the question that plagued B.C. in 2021 as communities were hit with one natural disaster after another. Now, 14 First Nations and local governments will get provincial funding to develop emergency evacuation route plans, better preparing these communities for emergencies.
害羞草研究所淎s we害羞草研究所檝e seen with the past year害羞草研究所檚 heat dome, wildfires, flooding and mudslides, preparing for emergencies is critical,害羞草研究所� said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in a press release sent out March 20. 害羞草研究所淭his funding will go a long way to support First Nations and local governments to help ensure people害羞草研究所檚 safety during emergencies or disasters.害羞草研究所�
The funding is meant to support communities to either update or create new evacuation route plans for residents who do not have an established route in the event of a large-scale emergency. Of the 14 communities receiving this latest support from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, nearly half are First Nations communities.
害羞草研究所淕iven the increased frequency, intensity and duration of disasters caused by climate change, it害羞草研究所檚 clear that we need to support essential work that communities are doing, like planning evacuation routes,害羞草研究所� said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. 害羞草研究所淪ince 2017, we害羞草研究所檝e seen great success with this program as it supports both First Nations and local governments in realizing their emergency preparedness goals.害羞草研究所�
The communities receiving funding are:
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Huu-ay-aht First Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, Toquaht Nation 害羞草研究所� Regional: West Coast Region Evacuation Route Plan: $64,040
Armstrong, Spallumcheen 害羞草研究所� Regional: Evacuation Plan: $45,312.50
Capital Regional District 害羞草研究所� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Gibsons 害羞草研究所� Gibsons Bluff Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Maple Ridge 害羞草研究所� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Regional District of Nanaimo 害羞草研究所� Electoral Area F & H Evacuation Route Plan: $24,645
Regional District of North Okanagan 害羞草研究所� Lumby-Mable Lake/Shuswap River Drive Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Nuchatlaht First Nation, Zeballos 害羞草研究所� Regional: Evacuation Route Planning: $42,000
Pauquachin First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tseycum First Nation, Tsawout First Nation 害羞草研究所� Regional: W害羞草研究所橲ANEC Evacuation Route Planning: $83,850
Sechelt 害羞草研究所� Tuwanek Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Skuppah Indian Band 害羞草研究所� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Sun Peaks 害羞草研究所� Evacuation Plan Update: $25,000
Sunshine Coast Regional District 害羞草研究所� Egmont Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Tk害羞草研究所檈mlups te Secwepemc 害羞草研究所� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Evacuation route planning funding is part of the $189-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). This fund supports a suite of programs to strengthen the resilience of First Nations communities, local governments and residents.
害羞草研究所淭he Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, along with project partners the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Toquaht Nation and the Uchucklesaht Tribe, are pleased to be awarded this grant,害羞草研究所� said Heather Zenner, protective services manager, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. 害羞草研究所淭his grant provides the opportunity for the project partners to collectively develop an evacuation route plan for the west coast of our region. The regional nature of this opportunity allows emergency planning to be done over several jurisdictional boundaries, allowing for all citizens to be incorporated and evacuation planning to consider many remote communities and neighbourhoods on the west coast.害羞草研究所�
Budget 2022 provides $2.1 billion to support the recovery of communities to 害羞草研究所渂uild back better害羞草研究所� from recent disasters and to strengthen defences to make sure people and communities throughout B.C. are protected from future disasters. From this funding, an investment of $110 million is for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to support local governments and First Nations with their community-led disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Since 2017, communities throughout B.C. have been able to apply for funding through this program for local priority projects that are designed to help mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate-related emergencies.
READ MORE:
jessica.peters@abbynews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation
