Sixty-five communities, including some in the East Kootenay, will receive approximately $56 million for 78 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) through the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream.

This funding will help communities tackle current vulnerabilities, minimize the risk of future disasters and support communities to make informed decisions, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said in a media release.

“Climate change is no longer a future concern, it’s happening now and we’re seeing its impact all over British Columbia,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Through disaster mitigation funding, our government is committed to helping communities become more resilient by empowering local governments to adapt to the changing climate and better protect themselves and their residents against future climate challenges.”

Among the local projects being funded is $2.4 million to the District of Invermere for Paddy Ryan Lake (pictured) middle dam spillway upgrades.

Another $1.1 million is going to the Regional District East Kootenay for hazards, risks and vulnerability analysis with regional partners: ?akisqnuk First Nation, ?aq’am, Canal Flats, Cranbrook, Elkford, Invermere, Kimberley, Radium Hot Springs, Shuswap Band, Sparwood, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it

Additionally, $85,000 goes to the City of Fernie for community hazard risk analysis and $21,500 to Golden for community misting and water bottle refill stations.

The CEPF supports local governments and First Nations to better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate in several categories. In addition to disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, other categories include:

* volunteer and composite fire department equipment and training;

* emergency operations centre equipment and training;

* public notification and evacuation-route planning;

* Indigenous cultural safety and cultural-humility training; and

* emergency support-services equipment and training.

The CEPF is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) on behalf of the province.

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

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