RDCO wants $148,000 to prepare against fires, floods and extreme weather

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan is seeking $148,000 to cover emergency support services.

In a report to Kelowna city council, the regional district has applied to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for Community Emergency Preparedness funding.

This funding would go towards the regional district’s emergency support services, which respond to events such as wildfires, floods, landslides and extreme heat events.

“In the aftermath of the 2023 Grouse Complex wildfires, there is a clear imperative to enhance knowledge, capacity, resources, and resilience within each regional community,” read the report submitted by Jason Bedell, Emergency Support Services supervisor for the regional district.

“Through this funding, we aim to create a cohesive, effective, and efficient regional (emergency support services) response.”

The money would cover the purchase of new equipment for volunteers as well as the staging of that equipment at specific locations in each municipality.

It would also fund an enhanced training program, which will integrate knowledge the service gained during the 2023 Grouse Complex wildfires.

Before that, the regional district will need to gain city council’s approval at a meeting on Monday, March 11.

Funding for the program will be provided by the province and will be administered by UBCM.

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