How do you safely evacuate an entire neighbourhood or whole town when a disaster is just moments away?
That含羞草研究社檚 the question that plagued B.C. in 2021 as communities were hit with one natural disaster after another. Now, 14 First Nations and local governments will get provincial funding to develop emergency evacuation route plans, better preparing these communities for emergencies.
含羞草研究社淎s we含羞草研究社檝e seen with the past year含羞草研究社檚 heat dome, wildfires, flooding and mudslides, preparing for emergencies is critical,含羞草研究社� said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in a press release sent out March 20. 含羞草研究社淭his funding will go a long way to support First Nations and local governments to help ensure people含羞草研究社檚 safety during emergencies or disasters.含羞草研究社�
The funding is meant to support communities to either update or create new evacuation route plans for residents who do not have an established route in the event of a large-scale emergency. Of the 14 communities receiving this latest support from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, nearly half are First Nations communities.
含羞草研究社淕iven the increased frequency, intensity and duration of disasters caused by climate change, it含羞草研究社檚 clear that we need to support essential work that communities are doing, like planning evacuation routes,含羞草研究社� said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. 含羞草研究社淪ince 2017, we含羞草研究社檝e seen great success with this program as it supports both First Nations and local governments in realizing their emergency preparedness goals.含羞草研究社�
The communities receiving funding are:
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Huu-ay-aht First Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, Toquaht Nation 含羞草研究社� Regional: West Coast Region Evacuation Route Plan: $64,040
Armstrong, Spallumcheen 含羞草研究社� Regional: Evacuation Plan: $45,312.50
Capital Regional District 含羞草研究社� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Gibsons 含羞草研究社� Gibsons Bluff Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Maple Ridge 含羞草研究社� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Regional District of Nanaimo 含羞草研究社� Electoral Area F & H Evacuation Route Plan: $24,645
Regional District of North Okanagan 含羞草研究社� Lumby-Mable Lake/Shuswap River Drive Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Nuchatlaht First Nation, Zeballos 含羞草研究社� Regional: Evacuation Route Planning: $42,000
Pauquachin First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tseycum First Nation, Tsawout First Nation 含羞草研究社� Regional: W含羞草研究社橲ANEC Evacuation Route Planning: $83,850
Sechelt 含羞草研究社� Tuwanek Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Skuppah Indian Band 含羞草研究社� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Sun Peaks 含羞草研究社� Evacuation Plan Update: $25,000
Sunshine Coast Regional District 含羞草研究社� Egmont Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Tk含羞草研究社檈mlups te Secwepemc 含羞草研究社� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Evacuation route planning funding is part of the $189-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). This fund supports a suite of programs to strengthen the resilience of First Nations communities, local governments and residents.
含羞草研究社淭he Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, along with project partners the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Toquaht Nation and the Uchucklesaht Tribe, are pleased to be awarded this grant,含羞草研究社� said Heather Zenner, protective services manager, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. 含羞草研究社淭his grant provides the opportunity for the project partners to collectively develop an evacuation route plan for the west coast of our region. The regional nature of this opportunity allows emergency planning to be done over several jurisdictional boundaries, allowing for all citizens to be incorporated and evacuation planning to consider many remote communities and neighbourhoods on the west coast.含羞草研究社�
Budget 2022 provides $2.1 billion to support the recovery of communities to 含羞草研究社渂uild back better含羞草研究社� from recent disasters and to strengthen defences to make sure people and communities throughout B.C. are protected from future disasters. From this funding, an investment of $110 million is for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to support local governments and First Nations with their community-led disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Since 2017, communities throughout B.C. have been able to apply for funding through this program for local priority projects that are designed to help mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate-related emergencies.
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