To mark Emergency Preparedness Week, the Province is contributing $700,000 to fund training for local government emergency management staff and emergency social services volunteers throughout British Columbia, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Shirley Bond announced Monday, May 2.
The funding will allow approximately 2,000 emergency management staff from various local authorities and around 2,400-emergency social services volunteers to receive training at regional workshops, on-line and through the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
In British Columbia, local authorities as the first responders are responsible for planning and managing emergency responses within their jurisdictional areas, including emergency social services.
Emergency social services provide short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. This assistance includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification.
"Keeping our families safe begins with strong communities that are well prepared when disaster strikes," said Bond in a news release. "This funding will help local governments and volunteers strengthen their capacity to plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
"Whether signing up as a local volunteer or putting together an earthquake kit, Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder that everyone can take some steps to better protect their communities and families when disaster strikes."
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