NDP MLAs say funding for emergency response and recovery will keep people safer in the Capital Region
CAPITAL REGION – New Democrat MLAs Grace Lore, Mitzi Dean, and Lana Popham say that emergency response and recovery efforts will be strengthened with funding for local emergency operations centres in the Capital Region.
“When emergencies hit, we want to know our communities are well-prepared to keep people safe,” said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill. “This support will help the CRD increase their emergency operations capacity and preparedness.”
The following local governments and First Nations are receiving funding in the Capital Region:
- Capital Regional District, DOC/EOC Capacity Development – $30,000
- Colwood, EOC training and exercise -$18,358.50
- Metchosin, portable EOC and storage – $30,000
- Saanich, audio-visual enhancements – $30,000
“We need to be prepared at all levels in case of emergencies,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “This funding will help our local municipal teams prepare for emergencies through training, exercises, and purchasing equipment that will help them keep people safe.”
Nearly $3 million in funding from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is going to over 100 local governments and First Nations across B.C. The funding will assist in purchasing and installing equipment and supplies to maintain or improve emergency operations centres.
“When communities plan and prepare for emergencies, more people are kept safe,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “We’re supporting local governments like Saanich to be able to prepare their emergency responses so they can help people in our community when they need it most.”
Emergency operations centres are an essential part of emergency response, where representatives come together to coordinate actions and resources and to support people responding on the ground.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28856