Permanent dedicated ESS site in Kamloops being considered by government

“I think it’s really incredible how much experience and knowledge [Kamloops] brings to the table to support people through their evacuation,” Kelly Greene, B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness says. “I wish that we didn’t have to have that experience but that is not the position that we are in right now.”

The ESS reception centre in Kamloops is based out of McArthur Island, staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers.

“Our volunteers, ESS volunteers, are the same ones that step up for the City of Kamloops when we do the Memorial Cup… the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. When we do any event, the majority are the same people who step up for the good times. They are also there for the bad times,” Deputy Mayor Bill Sarai notes.

But as wildfire season drags on, the ESS remains active longer, taking space away from the community. It’s something Kamloops council has been interested in addressing.

“But then we are giving up our recreation facilities to accommodate that,” Sarai says. “The province is well aware of our needs. A permanent site would alleviate the pressure not only on our user groups but also people leaving their communities on the worst day of their life, not knowing what they’ve left behind, what they are going to go back to. But in a bigger picture, [our volunteers] need a permanent site as well.”

That plan for a permanent dedicated ESS site has reached the ears of the minister, with Greene noting it’s not off the table.

“It is something that we are looking at long term, it’s still too early to have any indication on whether we would be able to commit in a time frame. But certainly, we see the difficulty that it is when you are a host community over and over again, and it is something we are working on,” Greene told CFJC News.

Sarai suggested available land out by the airport for a potential future home for ESS in Kamloops.

by Michael Reeve

Permanent dedicated ESS site in Kamloops being considered by government

Our Community