qathet – New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons says $125,000 for Emergency Operations Centres will help communities prepare for emergency events.

“It’s important for people throughout the Sunshine Coast and Sea-to-Sky Country to be prepared for emergencies of all kinds,” said MLA Simons. “We’re supporting investments in communications, training and operations centres to do exactly that and keep us all safer.”

This funding is part of $1.8 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding going to 54 communities across BC. These investments will support local governments and First Nations to purchase equipment and supplies to maintain Emergency Operations Centres and enhance local training exercises.

This funding is provided through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for programs to enhance the resiliency of communities in areas including flood mitigation, evacuation route planning, fire department equipment and training and well as Indigenous cultural safety & cultural humility training.

Community recipients in this round of funding in the Sunshine Coast and Sea-to-Sky Country are:

• Bowen Island – Mount Gardner Repeater – $25,000
• qathet Regional District (Powell River) – Public emergency communications system establishment and training – $25,000
• Squamish – Intensive training program  – $25,000
• Squamish Nation – Mobile EOC – $24,648.32
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District – Backup generator for alternate EOC, CISM training – $25,000
• Whistler – Radio communications upgrade – $25,000

Learn more: Emergency operations centres investments benefit B.C. communities