The City of Pitt Meadows has received $19,579.87 through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), to support an Emergency Support Services (ESS) project.

The CEPF—administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and funded by the Government of British Columbia—aims to help communities better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related emergencies.

On March 18, 2024, the Province’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness announced new streamlined training for volunteers during emergencies, and support of almost 100 ESS projects with approximately $3.3 million through the CEPF, including the City as one of these recipients.

“Thank you to the Province and UBCM for the generous support of our City’s emergency preparedness efforts,” says Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “As climate-related emergency events are happening more frequently, it is imperative that our dedicated volunteers receive the necessary practice, training, and equipment to effectively respond to crises.”

The City’s ESS is comprised of volunteers from the community who provide short-term assistance to residents who must evacuate their homes due to fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergencies.

The grant will be used for ESS training, including two courses through the Justice Institute of British Columbia and emergency pet training. The funding will also be used for a functional emergency training exercise geared to test the ESS team’s proficiency in setting up a specialized reception centre, which is a safe place for evacuees to go to receive basic support. Additionally, the funding will go towards new equipment, such as jackets, to increase visibility of ESS volunteers during emergency response.

“Our ESS responders need to be confident and knowledgeable in times of emergency,” says Manager of Emergency Programs Jackie Kloosterboer. “Through funding like this, we are able to provide our volunteers with the insight and tools needed to better serve evacuees and their pets.”

For more information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit ubcm.ca/cepf. To learn more about Pitt Meadows ESS, visit pittmeadows.ca/ess.