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Strengthening Local Emergency-Evacuation, Public-Notification Planning

Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 7:45 AM

By Jay Herrington

(PHOTO Government of British Columbia)

The province of B.C. announced new funding for local governments and First Nations to strengthen their plans for emergency evacuation and public notification planning.

“Recent wildfires in remote regions of B.C. have put communities at risk of being cut off from the rest of the province, highlighting the need for good, advanced planning to ensure residents are able to evacuate safely,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

“We also know that First Nations and local governments have the most up-to-date information to provide to people to keep them safe. These funds will help ensure British Columbians can leave the area safely when a disaster hits, and will improve emergency notification, alerts, and communication to people during emergencies.”

Among other planned projects, the Comox Valley Regional District is receiving $150,000 in funding for evacuation and public notification planning, with regional partners the K’ómoks First Nation, Cumberland, Comox, and Courtenay, while the Strathcona Regional District will see $32,000 for Quadra Island Evacuation Guidelines and Tsunami Notification Guidelines.

In total, over $800,000 is being provided to communities across B.C. to support work to improve emergency evacuation routes and public notification plans.

Over $164 million has been provided to local governments and First Nations through the Climate Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for over 1,500 projects to help communities become more climate resilient.

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

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