Halfway River First Nation gets $25,000+ for Emergency Operations Centre upgrade

WONOWON, B.C. — A local First Nation has received provincial funding to improve its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

The province announced Wednesday afternoon that Halfway River First Nation in Wonowon, roughly 75 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, is one of 29 communities benefiting from a new provincial investment.

The money comes from the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), which also benefitted five other northeast B.C. communities earlier this year.

Halfway River First Nation is receiving $25,700 out of the $1.4 million being distributed as part of this investment.

“These EOCs are vital during disasters, providing fundamental co-ordination and support to ensure the safety of everyone in the community,” said Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma.

“This provincial funding will help support improvements that help communities respond more swiftly and effectively during emergencies.”

According to the announcement, Halfway River’s funding will go towards buying new radio equipment for the EOC. 

Energeticcity.ca contacted Halfway River First Nation Chief Darlene Hunter for comment. Hunter didn’t respond in time for publication.