How do you safely evacuate an entire neighbourhood or whole town when a disaster is just moments away?
That香蕉视频直播檚 the question that plagued B.C. in 2021 as communities were hit with one natural disaster after another. Now, 14 First Nations and local governments will get provincial funding to develop emergency evacuation route plans, better preparing these communities for emergencies.
香蕉视频直播淎s we香蕉视频直播檝e seen with the past year香蕉视频直播檚 heat dome, wildfires, flooding and mudslides, preparing for emergencies is critical,香蕉视频直播� said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in a press release sent out March 20. 香蕉视频直播淭his funding will go a long way to support First Nations and local governments to help ensure people香蕉视频直播檚 safety during emergencies or disasters.香蕉视频直播�
The funding is meant to support communities to either update or create new evacuation route plans for residents who do not have an established route in the event of a large-scale emergency. Of the 14 communities receiving this latest support from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, nearly half are First Nations communities.
香蕉视频直播淕iven the increased frequency, intensity and duration of disasters caused by climate change, it香蕉视频直播檚 clear that we need to support essential work that communities are doing, like planning evacuation routes,香蕉视频直播� said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. 香蕉视频直播淪ince 2017, we香蕉视频直播檝e seen great success with this program as it supports both First Nations and local governments in realizing their emergency preparedness goals.香蕉视频直播�
The communities receiving funding are:
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Huu-ay-aht First Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, Toquaht Nation 香蕉视频直播� Regional: West Coast Region Evacuation Route Plan: $64,040
Armstrong, Spallumcheen 香蕉视频直播� Regional: Evacuation Plan: $45,312.50
Capital Regional District 香蕉视频直播� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Gibsons 香蕉视频直播� Gibsons Bluff Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Maple Ridge 香蕉视频直播� Evacuation Route Planning: $25,000
Regional District of Nanaimo 香蕉视频直播� Electoral Area F & H Evacuation Route Plan: $24,645
Regional District of North Okanagan 香蕉视频直播� Lumby-Mable Lake/Shuswap River Drive Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Nuchatlaht First Nation, Zeballos 香蕉视频直播� Regional: Evacuation Route Planning: $42,000
Pauquachin First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tseycum First Nation, Tsawout First Nation 香蕉视频直播� Regional: W香蕉视频直播橲ANEC Evacuation Route Planning: $83,850
Sechelt 香蕉视频直播� Tuwanek Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Skuppah Indian Band 香蕉视频直播� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Sun Peaks 香蕉视频直播� Evacuation Plan Update: $25,000
Sunshine Coast Regional District 香蕉视频直播� Egmont Evacuation Plan: $25,000
Tk香蕉视频直播檈mlups te Secwepemc 香蕉视频直播� Evacuation Route Plan: $25,000
Evacuation route planning funding is part of the $189-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). This fund supports a suite of programs to strengthen the resilience of First Nations communities, local governments and residents.
香蕉视频直播淭he Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, along with project partners the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Toquaht Nation and the Uchucklesaht Tribe, are pleased to be awarded this grant,香蕉视频直播� said Heather Zenner, protective services manager, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. 香蕉视频直播淭his grant provides the opportunity for the project partners to collectively develop an evacuation route plan for the west coast of our region. The regional nature of this opportunity allows emergency planning to be done over several jurisdictional boundaries, allowing for all citizens to be incorporated and evacuation planning to consider many remote communities and neighbourhoods on the west coast.香蕉视频直播�
Budget 2022 provides $2.1 billion to support the recovery of communities to 香蕉视频直播渂uild back better香蕉视频直播� from recent disasters and to strengthen defences to make sure people and communities throughout B.C. are protected from future disasters. From this funding, an investment of $110 million is for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to support local governments and First Nations with their community-led disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Since 2017, communities throughout B.C. have been able to apply for funding through this program for local priority projects that are designed to help mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate-related emergencies.
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