PITT MEADOWS- BC NDP MLA Lisa Beare says the municipalities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are receiving funding that will help to better support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.

“We are so lucky to have such amazing volunteers here in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, and it’s always great when our government can provide support for such essential community services,” said Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. “Funding to help modernize emergency supports as well as train more volunteers will help us be even more prepared in case of an emergency.”

The City of Maple Ridge is receiving $39, 528 for modernization and inventory upgrades, including devices to assist with ESS evacuee registration and assistance.  Additionally, the City of Pitt Meadows will receive $32,000 for volunteer training.

The BC New Democrat government is providing over $5 million for 113 local projects. The funding will help communities expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment and retention, volunteer training, and the purchase of equipment.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of funding programs designed to help local governments and First Nations better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. These programs include public notification and evacuation-route planning, emergency operations centre equipment and training, volunteer and composite fire department equipment and training, and Indigenous cultural safety and humility training.

Since its establishment in 2017, the province has committed $369 million into CEPF. To date, approximately $315 million has been provided for approximately 2,400 projects across all CEPF streams. This fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities.