Comox Valley Emergency Management service partners are getting new provincial funding.
Up to $150,000 has been approved to strengthen Emergency Support Services (ESS) capacity for the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), K’ómoks First Nation, Town of Comox, City of Courtenay and Village of Cumberland.
Chair of the CVRD board Will Cole Hamilton said ESS teams are essential to the province’s ability to coordinate mandated supports for people displaced by disasters.
“ESS programs are delivered by local and First Nation Governments and without sustainable provincial funding, these partners and communities rely on annual grants to access the training and equipment needed for staff and volunteers to provide temporary supports to evacuees.”
The funding comes from the 2025 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Emergency Support Services Training and Equipment stream.
ESS is a provincial program which provides short term support to people who are forced from their homes due to emergencies or disasters.
Supports include access to food, clothing, lodging, emotional support and other essential services needed for up to 72 hours and is delivered through trained volunteers and local authorities.
Professional volunteers from the Comox Valley ESS team train alongside K’ómoks First Nation and local governments staff to deliver emergency supports in accordance with the Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
The investment in ESS programs will go to:
- Cross agency training and exercises with mutual aid partners including Oceanside ESS volunteers and staff from Parksville, Qualicum and the Regional District of Nanaimo.
- Training on cultural safety and conflict management, incident command systems, psychological first aid and mental health.
- Upgrading supplies and equipment to improve on-scene safety, equipment and technology.
- Supporting ESS volunteer recognition, recruitment and retention.
