With extreme weather and climate-related events becoming more common, the Province is funding 110 projects throughout B.C. to help local governments and First Nations better respond to emergencies and protect people.
“Emergency operations centres are the backbone of a co-ordinated response when an emergency happens,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “This funding will help local governments and First Nations with the equipment, training and exercises they need to run their emergency operations centres effectively, so communities throughout B.C. get the support they need as quickly as possible.”
Co-ordinating response when emergencies happen
Through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, the Province is providing approximately $3.5 million to support local emergency operations centres in 138 communities.
An emergency operations centre (EOC) is where local government and First Nation staff and volunteers direct resources, co-ordinate with other partners and support first responders during an emergency. These centres help ensure that people have access to timely information, emergency support services and other assistance when they need it. This funding will help communities upgrade and strengthen the capacity of local EOCs, improving co-ordination and response during emergencies.
“Continued funding through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is critical to helping local governments and First Nations maintain strong emergency preparedness and response capacity,” said Cori Ramsay, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities. “These investments contribute to safer, more resilient communities throughout B.C.”
Projects funded in 2026 include:
- Kamloops:
- running a full-scale EOC exercise and ongoing team training, and purchasing supplies and equipment upgrades to strengthen the EOC program
- Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations:
- acquiring a portable EOC kit, including supplies and IT equipment, along with orientation and training for EOC staff
- Northern Rockies Regional Municipality:
- upgrading its mobile EOC trailer with furniture and equipment
- Tsartlip First Nation and Tseycum First Nation:
- Each acquiring and installing a tsunami alert siren on their respective lands to provide early warning of tsunamis and other emergencies for communities at heightened risk due to their coastal locations near the Juan de Fuca subduction zone
About the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of funding programs that helps local governments and First Nations prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate.
In addition to emergency operations centres equipment and training, it also funds emergency support services equipment and training, public notification and evacuation route planning, and foundations of disaster risk reduction. This fund is administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Quick Facts:
- The Province has committed $369 million through all Community Emergency Preparedness Fund streams since it was established in 2017.
- To date, more than $350 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,800 projects throughout the province.
- This funding supports the goals of the Emergency and Disaster Management Act by building stronger emergency response capacity in communities throughout B.C.
Learn More:
For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf
For more information about the Emergency operation centre operational guidelines, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/local-government/eoc_operational_guidelines.pdf
