The B.C. government is investing more than $800,000 in emergency preparedness projects across Vancouver Island, helping local governments and First Nations strengthen their ability to respond when disasters strike.
The funding is part of the Province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, which is providing approximately $3.5 million for 110 emergency operations centre projects in communities throughout British Columbia, including Sayward. The grants will be used to improve emergency operations centres through equipment purchases, staff training and emergency response exercises.
Emergency operations centres serve as the command hub during disasters, coordinating resources, supporting first responders and ensuring residents receive timely information and emergency assistance.
According to the Province, the latest funding will benefit 138 communities across B.C., helping local governments and First Nations improve their emergency response capacity as climate-related emergencies and extreme weather events become more frequent. Since 2017, more than $25 million has been invested in over 820 emergency operations centre projects through the program.
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Kelly Greene said emergency operations centres are the backbone of a coordinated response during emergencies and that the funding will ensure communities have the training, equipment and resources needed to respond quickly when people need help.
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities on behalf of the Province and supports a range of emergency management initiatives, including emergency operations centres, evacuation planning, public notification systems and disaster risk reduction projects.
