(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Emergency Communications Plan

Emergency preparedness funds to help with Spallumcheen’s communication plan

Aug 21, 2024 | 7:39 AM

A North Okanagan community is benefiting from a provincial investment to improve planning for emergency evacuation routes and public notifications.

The province announced the Township of Spallumcheen will be one of 22 B.C. communities receiving funding to be better prepared for emergency events.

Spallumcheen will receive $30,000 to be used for developing an emergency communications plan.

“As we face more severe weather events due to climate change, the safety of people remains the top priority,” Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma stated.

“Recent emergencies, such as wildfires and landslides, highlight how important it is that people have the information they need 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.”

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The provincial investment totals $909,000 and other projects included through the funding stream include an evacuation route review for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District; and a regional emergency public notification plan for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

“Local governments and First Nations have been looking for support to update evacuation route plans, and funding like this will help to ensure that evacuation plans are up to date and clearly communicated to the public,” Trish Mandewo, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, said.

“Supporting local governments to do this type of planning ahead of time will strengthen our ability to keep people safe when emergencies occur.”