FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prince George, B.C. – The City of Prince George has been awarded a $25,000 grant administered through the Union of BC Municipalities for Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) training, exercises, and equipment modernization. The grant funder is the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR).
EOC training has been identified as a priority in 2023. It includes introductory level training for all EOC staff in Incident Command Systems and EOC core concepts; functional workshops in the primary EOC functions (Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration); applied EOC training; Information Officer training; and training facilitated by EMCR on the provincial emergency plan developed to strengthen ties between the two levels of government.
Emergency programs staff identified two professional development conferences that will provide valuable networking, best practices, and skill development in disaster risk reduction and business continuity. This will support compliance with new legislation anticipated this year that will likely include additional mandates for local governments to draft business continuity plans and incorporate greater disaster risk reduction into emergency plans.
This grant will also provide for the purchase of a smart board and a digital sign-in/out system to improve efficiency within the EOC.
Emergency programs manager, Tanya Spooner, stated, “preparedness is a crucial part of emergency management. This grant will help us ensure EOC staff at all levels have the training they need to provide supports to our community in times of crisis."
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Media contact:
Julie Rogers, communications manager
Phone: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca