Northwest Communities share in Emergency Preparedness Funding

A number of communities across the Northwest and on Haida Gwaii have shared in 4.2 million dollars following a Friday funding announcement from the Provincial Government.

The money which will support 100 local governments and First nations province wide is part of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund and is designed to assist communities prepare for and respond to disasters.

“I know how critical it is to be prepared for any possible emergency scenario. When it comes to emergencies in B.C., it’s not a matter of if one will happen, but when. This funding is another step we’re taking as a government to help communities be ready for when disaster strikes.” -- Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness

On the North Coast, The District of Port Edward has received $21,900 towards Emergency Preparedness Supplies. 

For communities on Haida Gwaii, funding was provided to:

Old Massett Village Council -- $23,500 ESS Program for Old Massett Village

Old Massett Village Council -- $17,724 Equipment purchases

Port Clements -- $24,983 Modernizing the Port Clements ESS

Port Clements -- $21,295 EOC Update

The remainder of the Northwest funding goes east of the Port Edward Turnoff with the communities receiving funding as follows:

Bulkley-Nechako Regional District -- $175,000 Regional collaborative ESS modernization implementation

Bulkley-Nechako Regional District -- $25,000 EOC equipment acquisition

Fraser Lake -- $25,000 Modernization, implementation project 

Fort St. James -- $25,000 Training and equipment

Granisle -- $25,000 Mobile EOC

Hazelton -- $25,000 Supplies,  equipment and capacity building project

Houston -- $17,000 Training Phase 2

Kitimat-Stikine Regional District -- $25,000 Upgrades and additions to ESS mobile unit equipment and ESS team Training

Kitimat-Stikine Regional District -- $25,000 Supplies and Equipment

Kitselas First Nation -- $25,000 ESS development project

New Hazelton -- $20,918 New Hazelton emergency support purchases and emergency simulation 

Nisga'a Lisims Government -- $24,893 Nisga'a ESS modernization

Nisga'a Lisims Government -- $25,000 Modernizing the Nisga'a Nations EOC

Smithers -- $25,000 Emergency Power project, generator

Stewart -- $23,234 Stewart ESS training and supplies

Stewart -- $25,000 Stewart EOC preparedness 2020

Telkwa -- $25,000 Resiliency and public information project

Terrace -- $25,000 EOC office equipment


Not included on the list for the Friday round of funding from the program, was the City of Prince Rupert, North Coast Regional District or local First Nations communities.

More background on the program can be explored here, while the complete list of British Columbia communities to benefit from Friday's funding release can be viewed here.

For more notes related to the Legislature see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.