PRRD seeks $60K funding to upgrade emergency operations centre

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district is looking for funding from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) to furnish and supply its emergency operations centre 

During the November 6th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), the board of directors authorized two applications to different streams of UBCM’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to support the district’s emergency operations centre. 

An emergency operations centre activates during a state of emergency in a region or community. They are designed to provide support for residents in need, such as evacuees from a wildfire.

The first is directed to the Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training funding stream, and is for a maximum of $30,000, which would go towards “the acquisition of furnishings and essential equipment” to bring the centre “into a state of operational readiness.”

The second application will be made to the Emergency Support Services (ESS) Equipment and Training stream, also for a maximum of $30,000, to support “training and the purchase of essential ESS equipment” needed for the centre during emergencies.

“Staff intend to purchase networking equipment for the establishment of network infrastructure at reception centres, a trailer for the storage and rapid deployment of ESS equipment, a charging cart to ensure equipment is charged and ready during an emergency and additional equipment necessary for activation of a reception centre during emergencies,” district staff stated in a report to the board. 

Both grants provide 100 per cent funding for these types of equipment, and would result in no cost to the district. 

No information was provided regarding when a response could be expected for the applications or when the equipment would be provided.