PORT EDWARDS – BC NDP MLA Tamara Davidson says communities on the North Coast are receiving funding that will help to better support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.

“Volunteers and local emergency personnel are so crucial in remote and rural areas, and it’s no different here on the North Coast,” said Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii. “Whether it’s for training, equipment, recruitment, or more, local people will benefit from this fund across the province as it creates stronger emergency support services.”

The following local communities are receiving funding:

• Central Coast Regional District- Equipment and training for ESS volunteers- $40,000
• Port Clements- Volunteer recruitment, training, and equipment- $25,000
• Port Edward- ESS training and group lodging supplies- $39,355
• Prince Rupert- Reception centre equipment- $14,369

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.