Mission and Leq’a:mel First Nation are receiving over $50,000 in funding to better prepare for emergencies.
According to a news release on April 18, $57,117 was approved for an Emergency Operations Centre training and exercises to bolster collaboration and mutual response.
Mission emergency program co-ordinator Monique Weir says the city is pleased to receive the grant in conjunction with Leq:a’mel.
“This training will be instrumental in building emergency-response resilience within our own communities and will promote collaboration and mutual aid support between our communities. We are grateful for this opportunity to train together,” Weir said.
Roughly 100 communities received funding to respond to emergencies through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma said local emergency operations centres are crucial for co-ordinating emergency response to keep people safe.
“This funding will help communities support responders on the ground and better protect people in emergency situations,” Ma said in a news release.
Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis says it’s important to be as prepared as possible with another potentially dry and hot summer ahead.
Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith says Mission will be more ready to respond in case of wildfires or other climate events by partnering with Leq’a:mel Nation.
“We know that wildfire season is coming, and we want people to be as prepared as possible,” D’Eith said.
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