How do you safely evacuate an entire neighbourhood or whole town when a disaster is just moments away?
That91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淎s we91裸聊视频檝e seen with the past year91裸聊视频檚 heat dome, wildfires, flooding and mudslides, preparing for emergencies is critical,91裸聊视频� said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in a press release sent out March 20. 91裸聊视频淭his funding will go a long way to support First Nations and local governments to help ensure people91裸聊视频檚 safety during emergencies or disasters.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淕iven the increased frequency, intensity and duration of disasters caused by climate change, it91裸聊视频檚 clear that we need to support essential work that communities are doing, like planning evacuation routes,91裸聊视频� said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. 91裸聊视频淪ince 2017, we91裸聊视频檝e seen great success with this program as it supports both First Nations and local governments in realizing their emergency preparedness goals.91裸聊视频�
The communities receiving funding are:
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Huu-ay-aht First Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, Toquaht Nation 91裸聊视频� Regional: West Coast Region Evacuation Route Plan: $64,040
Armstrong, Spallumcheen 91裸聊视频� Regional: Evacuation Plan: $45,312.50
Capital Regional District 91裸聊视频� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Gibsons 91裸聊视频� Gibsons Bluff Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Maple Ridge 91裸聊视频� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Regional District of Nanaimo 91裸聊视频� Electoral Area F & H Evacuation Route Plan: $24,645
Regional District of North Okanagan 91裸聊视频� Lumby-Mable Lake/Shuswap River Drive Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Nuchatlaht First Nation, Zeballos 91裸聊视频� Regional: Evacuation Route Planning: $42,000
Pauquachin First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tseycum First Nation, Tsawout First Nation 91裸聊视频� Regional: W91裸聊视频橲ANEC Evacuation Route Planning: $83,850
Sechelt 91裸聊视频� Tuwanek Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Skuppah Indian Band 91裸聊视频� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Sun Peaks 91裸聊视频� Evacuation Plan Update: $25,000
Sunshine Coast Regional District 91裸聊视频� Egmont Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Tk91裸聊视频檈mlups te Secwepemc 91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淭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,91裸聊视频� said Heather Zenner, protective services manager, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. 91裸聊视频淭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.91裸聊视频�
Budget 2022 provides $2.1 billion to support the recovery of communities to 91裸聊视频渂uild back better91裸聊视频� 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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