*With files from David Opinko, Summit 107 FM News*
The Town of Creston has received a $24,500 grant from the B.C. Government’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
The funding announcement saw 60 local governments and regional districts receive a combined $1.5-million.
“We can’t predict exactly when a disaster may hit, but we can help our partners prepare so that if people have to be evacuated, they’re doing so in the safest, best way possible,” says Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. “Investing in communities and people is top of mind, and this is another step toward ensuring people’s safety in the event of a large-scale emergency situation.”
Funding for this came from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, which was first started in 2017.
“The programs and projects announced today will help make our cities and towns more resilient,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “On the heels of two of the worst flood and wildfire seasons in our province’s history, we need to work together to help our communities prepare for emergencies so they are better positioned to respond and recover.”
More than 2000 wildfires burned roughly 1.35 million hectares of land in BC last year. The Blazed Creek wildfire was only 30 kilometres away from Creston’s town centre.