BC NDP MLAs Sheila Malcolmson, George Anderson, and Stephanie Higginson say funding will strengthen emergency support services in Nanaimo and Oceanside
NANAIMO – BC NDP MLAs says Sheila Malcolmson, George Anderson, and Stephanie Higginson say Nanaimo and Oceanside are receiving funding that will help to better support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.
“Investments into emergency support services help regions be prepared for the worst,” says Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island. “With this funding, people in the Regional District of Nanaimo and Snuneymuxw First Nation will be better equipped should they need to evacuate their homes, putting ease on both evacuees and volunteers.”
The following local communities are receiving funding:
- Nanaimo – ESS group lodging supplies
- Sub-applicants: Nanaimo RD, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Lantzville.
- Approved amount: $160,000
- Parksville – Group lodging supplies and training
- Sub-applicant: Qualicum Beach
- Approved amount: $45,900
- Snaw-Naw-As First Nation (Nanoose) – Evacuation support hub trailer
“It is important that people across the province have access to emergency support services they can rely on,” says George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville. “This funding will help ensure that should a crisis happen, our communities and volunteers know we have everything we need to get through it.”
The BC New Democrat government is providing over $5 million for 113 local projects. The funding will help communities expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment and retention, volunteer training, and the purchase of equipment.
“Group lodging is a crucial service for people evacuating their homes during an emergency,” says Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside. “This investment into training and supplies gives peace of mind to people, that, if they are evacuated from their homes they know proper planning and supplies have been implemented for any emergency that comes our way, and that our volunteers feel supported if that time comes.”
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of funding programs designed to help local governments and First Nations better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. These programs include public notification and evacuation-route planning, emergency operations centre equipment and training, volunteer and composite fire department equipment and training, and Indigenous cultural safety and humility training.
Since its establishment in 2017, the Province has committed $369 million into CEPF. To date, approximately $315 million has been provided for approximately 2,400 projects across all CEPF streams. This fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities.