Strengthening emergency operations centres in Cariboo-Chilcotin

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments' or First Nations received funding allocations for their operated Emergency Operations Centres: 

District of Wells -- IT equipment, workstations and training to build EOC infrastructure and staff capacity

Approved amount: $21,316

City of Quesnel -- Connectivity equipment to improve EOC communications and operations

Approved amount: $10,899

Cariboo Regional District -- Technology upgrades and tabletop exercise to strengthen EOC operations

Approved amount: $29,743

Lhtako Dene Nation -- Communications and IT equipment to strengthen EOC connectivity and operations

Approved amount: $30,000

Tsilhqot'in National Government – IT equipment, training and exercise to strengthen EOC infrastructure and staff capacity

Approved amount: $25,600

Xats'ull First Nation – Equipment, supplies and training to build foundational EOC capacity

Approved amount: $14,947

Xeni Gwet'in First Nations – Equipment, supplies, training, maps and incremental staffing to build comprehensive EOC capacity

Approved amount: $30,000

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

BC Government announces funding for Emergency Operations Centres

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- funding provided to Cariboo-Chilcotin Indigenous Nations or Local Governments: 

* ?Esdilagh (Alexandria) First Nation – Cargo trailer for mobile EOC, foundational training and tabletop exercise for staff.

Amount: $39,720 

* Cariboo Regional District – Mobile EOC and foundational training for staff.

Amount: $21,966

* Esk’etemc First Nation – This project provides communications equipment and operational supplies.

Amount: $31,818

* Tsilhqot’in National Government – Tabletop exercise and foundational training.

Amount: $37,500

* Wells – This project provides IT, office and operational equipment.

Amount: $33,165

* Williams Lake First Nation – Mock activation exercise and operational equipment.

Amount: $39,265"

As British Columbia responds to increasingly frequent climate emergencies, the Province is funding local projects to better equip local governments and First Nations to respond to emergencies and support people who are evacuated.

“Local emergency operations centres (EOC) are crucial in co-ordinating response efforts and safeguarding communities during emergencies,” said the Hon. Kelly Greene, BC's Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “That’s why we’re providing communities with tools and training for staff and volunteers at emergency operations centres. These supports will allow local governments and First Nations throughout B.C. to better respond to emergencies.” 

The Province is providing nearly $7 million to support 139 emergency operation centre projects, benefiting 183 communities through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). These funds will be used to purchase supplies and fund training and exercises to support staff and boost response capacity. Emergency operations centres co-ordinate people, actions and resources, and support first responders on the ground. They also ensure people receive timely information, shelter assistance and other vital services throughout an emergency.

This funding will support projects throughout B.C., including:

• strengthening local emergency response in Vernon with new Rapid Damage Assessment kits and EOC training courses for staff and volunteers;
• enhancing emergency co-ordination in Saik’uz First Nation with a mobile office trailer to ensure better emergency co-ordination and continued service delivery during evacuation;
• providing EOC staff with specialized training and essential equipment in Witset First Nation so the centre can respond more effectively when emergencies impact the community; and
• upgrading EOCs in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Bamfield and Long Beach with new communication systems, power backups and supplies. Funding will also support interactive workshops, training courses and a multi-jurisdictional simulation exercise to strengthen regional readiness and improve response co-ordination.

The CEPF helps communities better prepare for the impacts of climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. In addition to emergency operations centres equipment and training, other CEPF funding streams include:

• volunteer and composite fire departments equipment and training;
• emergency support services equipment and training;
• public notification and evacuation-route planning; and
• Indigenous cultural safety and cultural humility training.

The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017. Including this intake, more than $342 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,500 projects. Since 2017, approximately $23 million has been invested to support local emergency operations centres. This fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities.

For more 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