Fraser Valley – More than 50 First Nations and local governments are receiving their share of more than $1.9 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to help improve emergency support services (ESS) in their communities.
Tzeachten First Nation will get $25,000 for supplies and capacity-building.
Funding will support communities building capacity to provide ESS through equipment purchases and volunteer recruitment, retention and training. ESS funding is part of the $189-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and supports programs that strengthen the resilience of First Nations communities, local governments and residents.
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of programs divided into several funding streams. The Province is introducing three new streams this year to help First Nations and local governments better prepare for emergencies and the changing climate: public notification and evacuation planning; extreme-heat risk mapping, assessment and planning; and disaster risk reduction/climate adaptation, which includes flood-risk reduction. Intakes will also reopen for volunteer and composite fire departments; Indigenous cultural safety and cultural-humility training; emergency support services; and emergency operations centres.
