New Funding Provided For Local Emergency Operations Centres

The Comox Valley Regional District is receiving $150,000 for a multi-jurisdictional Emergency Operations Centre project, working alongside Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland as regional partners.

“It is encouraging to see so many local governments and First Nations prioritizing their emergency operations centres,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

“These EOCs are vital during disasters, providing fundamental co-ordination and support to ensure the safety of everyone in the community. This provincial funding will help support improvements that help communities respond more swiftly and effectively during emergencies.”

MLAs Ronna-Rae Leonard and Josie Osborne say the funding will better equip their local Emergency Operations Centres.

Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, the province is providing $1.4 million to 29 local governments and First Nations for emergency preparedness, including new supplies for local Emergency Operations Centres and training exercises to support staff and increase efficiency.

Locally, money will be used to purchase portable sound equipment and safety vests and installing earthquake-resistant enhancements. It would also support the development of a Critical Incident Stress Management team to secure the Comox Valley Regional District EOC, including hosting a workshop on First Nation principles of ownership, control, access and possession, and a multiregional exercise with Tla'amin and K'omoks First Nations.

More than $224 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments through the CEPF for more than 2,000 projects since 2017, with more than half of that funding heading to communities since December 2022.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.