Image Credit: City of Kamloops

By Victor Kaisar

ESS Funding

Numerous Kamloops-area communities getting provincial money to ‘strengthen’ emergency supports for evacuees

Apr 12, 2025 | 4:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops will be getting $40,000 from the B.C. Government which will be used to enhance its Emergency Support Services program.

The City says it will use the money to modernize its equipment by upgrading to new iPads, kiosks, and classroom facilities.

It will also buy necessary equipment and supplies to ensure that volunteers “have the best tools for the job” given Kamloops’ position as a hub community for evacuees from around the region.

The City says the money will also towards recruitment and retention activities as it works to ensure it has a dedicated team of volunteers to help people during emergencies. It will also go towards training of volunteers to ensure they’re ready when they’re needed.

The money is part of more than $5-million the Province is handing out to 113 communities for ESS equipment and training through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The City of Kamloops has gotten money from this fund in years past.

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The City of Merritt, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, and the Cooks Ferry Indian Band are also getting $40,000 each towards Emergency Support Services capacity building, training and/or equipment.

The Lytton First Nation is also getting $40,000 for ESS supplies at the NzeekzAkhnn (Westside) community hall.

The Adams Lake Indian Band is also getting $40,000 towards reception centre kits, local host capacity, and the deployment of its mobile ESS reception centre.

“The people who provide Emergency Support Services are often the first source of respite and help for those impacted most by emergencies,” Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) president Trish Mandewo, said in a statement.

“This funding will help make those services more robust and resilient so help is there when British Columbians need it. UBCM is pleased to administer this program in partnership with the Province.”

You can find a full list of the latest CEPF fund recipients here.

You can also find more about the City of Kamloops’ Emergency Support Services program here.