BC NDP MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma say funding will strengthen emergency support services on the North Shore

NORTH VANCOUVER – BC NDP MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma say the North Shore is receiving funding that will help to better support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.

“The work volunteers do to keep our emergency support services running is critical,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver – Lonsdale.  “Volunteers make such an important impact on our communities, and we are investing in recruitment and retention programs, as well as modernizing practices, to make sure that we can keep them and residents on the North Shore safe.”

North Vancouver District is receiving $90,00 for modernizing practices, volunteer retention and recognition. Sub-applicants: North Vancouver City, West Vancouver.

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. 

“Volunteers are a vital part of emergency support services in our province” says Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver – Seymour. “This funding will improve volunteer recruitment and retention to help keep North Shore residents safe during disasters.”

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.