Greater Victoria communities are receiving a provincial funding boost to help support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.
Funding has come from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, with 113 projects across B.C. receiving a share of $5 million – over $350,000 will be funnelled into communities across Greater Victoria
Communities will use the funding to expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment and retention, volunteer training and the purchase of equipment.
Receiving funding in Greater Victoria are:
- Esquimalt – $15,142 for ESS tools and personal protective equipment for volunteers;
- Langford – $29,100 for ESS leadership training and volunteer retention activities;
- Songhees Nation – $39,804 for training, exercises and group lodging capacity;
- View Royal – $40,000 for ESS equipment, supplies and training;
- Metchosin – $38,000 for ESS supplies, group lodging equipment and training;
- Pacheedaht First Nation – $39,974 for group lodging equipment, training and exercises;
- Sooke – $39,995 for ESS trailer, recruitment, training and exercises;
- Capital Regional District – $40,000 for training, exercises, reception centre supplies and recruitment;
- Saanich – $40,000 for recruitment and training;
- Victoria – $35,063 for technology upgrades, recruitment and training.
"Disasters can be unpredictable, so investing into preparedness means investing in our safety,” said Victoria-Swan Lake MLA Nina Krieger in a news release.
The funding programs are 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.
"Emergency support services are there for people in their most difficult times," said MLA for Saanich South Lana Popham. "This funding will ensure we're prepared if disaster strikes, when we need support most."
