Home »
Evacuation route planning funds for RDEK
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is among 60 local and regional governments and First Nations communities to be approved to receive their share of approximately $1.5 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support evacuation route planning.
The RDEK, which manages emergency coordination, is getting $25,000 from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Emergency Management BC for an Evacuation Route Plan.
“We can’t predict exactly when a disaster may hit, but we can help our partners prepare so that if people have to be evacuated, they’re doing so in the safest, best way possible,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Investing in communities and people is top of mind, and this is another step toward ensuring people’s safety in the event of a large-scale emergency situation.”
Funding for the evacuation route planning component of the CEPF was announced at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ (UBCM) convention in September 2017. This funding is part of a $33.5-million plan designed to help communities prepare for, and respond to, disasters.
“The programs and projects announced today will help make our cities and towns more resilient,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “On the heels of two of the worst flood and wildfire seasons in our province’s history, we need to work together to help our communities prepare for emergencies so they are better positioned to respond and recover.”
Creston is also getting $24,500 for Area Evacuation Route Planning.
The CEPF is a suite of programs designed to enhance the resiliency of local governments and their residents. The province provides the funding, which is administered by the UBCM and divided into five streams:
* Flood Risk Assessment, Flood Mapping and Flood Mitigation Planning;
* Emergency Social Services;
* Emergency Operations Centres and Training;
* Structural Flood Mitigation;
* Evacuation Routes.
The next deadline to apply for funding from this program is Oct. 25, regarding Structural Flood Mitigation Intake 2.
e-KNOW
