Merritt receives provincial funding for evacuation plan

Local governments and First Nations in 28 communities have been approved to receive their share of more than $1 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support evacuation route planning.

The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to develop evacuation route plans for communities that may otherwise face challenges during an evacuation due to an emergency.

The City of Merritt is set to receive $17,500 for the completion of a new evacuation plan. The current evacuation plan is from 2006.

“This funding would further identify who and what is needed to ensure the safe movement of people from a variety of possible threats. The scope of the evacuation plan will also encompass support to and from surrounding First Nation and TNRD Communities,” wrote Sky McKeown.

Funding for the Evacuation Route Planning component of the CEPF was announced at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in September 2017. This funding is part of a $69.5-million plan designed to help communities prepare for, and respond to, disasters.