22 communities can improve their emergency evacuation routes through new funding.
The BC government says they’re investing $909,000 to these communities to help develop and update plans for available routes, ways of evacuating during an emergency, and local emergency alert systems.
The goal of this funding is to keep people safe in the event of an emergency, with Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma saying emergencies like the recent wildfires show how important it is for people to know how to evacuate safely.
“By investing in community evacuation route and public notification planning, we’re helping ensure that local governments and First Nations have the tools they need to keep people safe during emergencies,” said Ma.
They say the money comes through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, a fund that supports local projects and initiatives to get communities prepared for climate-related emergencies.
The money will support different projects and initiatives, including those that focus on improving evacuation, emergency communication, a hazard plan, and hiring an emergency management consultant.
Of the 22 communities, only one is getting funding on Vancouver Island.
A total of $118,500 will be given to Nanaimo, with $88,500 going to the Nanaimo Regional District for regional public notifications and an evacuation route plan, while the Snuneymuxw First Nation gets $30,000 for emergency public notification and evacuation route planning.
