B.C. communities at risk of flooding share fund to aid in disaster response

VICTORIA Emergency preparedness funding that British Columbia’s public safety minister calls “critically important” is now being handed out to communities across the province that are at risk of spring flooding.

Funds totalling $33.5 million are being released by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to cover five initiatives aimed at helping communities respond to disasters and reduce damage.

A news release from the public safety ministry says payments for the first three initiatives have already been made. They include risk assessment, mapping and mitigation plans for flooding, the development of better registration systems and procedures for emergency social services and additional equipment, supplies and volunteer training for emergency operations centres.

Cash for the final two disaster preparedness initiatives has yet to be allotted but will fund more pump stations and portable dikes, as well as the mapping and building of exit routes for communities currently reached by a single road.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the payments are vital as the province moves toward what he says appears to be another “incredibly taxing ” spring flood season. “These resources will assist the most vulnerable communities, not only to prevent catastrophic losses, but also to rebound more quickly in the event of an emergency,” Farnworth says.

Jennifer Rice, parliamentary secretary for emergency preparedness, says the payments will help communities “become more resilient and responsive in the face of natural and man-made disasters.”

These resources will assist the most vulnerable communities ... to rebound more quickly in the event of an emergency.