Two grants, each worth $25,000, have recently been awarded to the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) to assist in expanding the emergency program in the RDN Electoral Areas.
The grants were received through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
The first grant will be used to support the development of a mobile emergency communications trailer that will provide a dedicated mobile space to effectively manage emergency communications to and from the RDN Emergency Operations Centre, according to a press release from the RDN.
The trailer will be a mobile way to support radio communications for the regional district. First responder radio frequencies, amateur radios and satellite communications will be connected, allowing for direct contact between the RDN, first responders, amateur radio operators, municipal partners and neighbouring jurisdictions.
The RDN said the second grant will support Emergency Management British Columbia’s Emergency Support Services (ESS) modernization and increase the availability of group lodging supplies.
“ESS volunteers are an integral part of the RDN Emergency Program. Volunteers help people meet their basic needs during a disaster and help people to re-establish themselves as quickly as possible after a disaster,” said the RDN in its press release. “During an emergency, trained support teams such as ESS can make times of crisis easier to manage.”
The ESS modernization project provides for virtual delivery with an online evacuee registration assistance tool. The implementation of a digital delivery will ensure ESS volunteers can continue to provide short-term basic support to residents impacted by disasters, while maintaining physical distance.
