May 14, 2021
Victoria — Thanks to a $7.5 million top up to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), seven more local governments and First Nations communities have had structural flood mitigation projects approved, helping them reduce the impacts of flooding.
As well, 48 communities will receive their share of $1.7 million through the Emergency Support Services (ESS) stream, which targets projects that build local emergency management capacity through volunteer recruitment, retention and training, including in-house training, and the purchase of ESS equipment.
“This is great news for the protection of communities in British Columbia,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By adding $7.5 million more to the existing program, we were able to fund seven flood mitigation projects that might not otherwise have received this funding. As well, 48 communities will also receive funding to help Emergency Support Services do their invaluable work to get British Columbians through some of their worst moments.”
Since September 2017, communities and governments around B.C. have received more than $65 million through the fund. The successful applicants for the latest round of funding hail from every part of B.C.
Funding for the Structural Flood Mitigation component of CEPF was announced at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in September 2017. This funding is part of $77 million that is provided to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters.
“We’re going to keep doing everything we can to support communities in being better prepared,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “This announcement highlights the support we’re providing in both emergency preparation and response, with extra funding to help communities manage flood risk and funding for Emergency Support Services work in helping British Columbians who have been impacted by an emergency.”
CEPF is a suite of programs designed to enhance the resiliency of local governments, First Nations communities and their residents. The Province provides the funding, which is administered by UBCM and has supported projects in seven areas:
- Flood Risk Assessment, Flood Mapping and Flood Mitigation Planning
- Emergency Support Services
- Emergency Operations Centres and Training
- Structural Flood Mitigation
- Evacuation Route Planning
- Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training
- Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment and Training
More information on the CEPF program can be found on the UBCM website: https://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/lgps/community-emergency-preparedness-fund.html