City of Powell River’s resolution to have a $1.9 billion fund created for seismic upgrading of provincial emergency infrastructure was passed by members of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) at their annual convention in Vancouver, September 21 to 25.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway has been working with Powell River Fire Rescue deputy chief Terry Peters for a number of years on the idea of a provincial fund that could help BC’s 190 local governments bring first-responder facilities up to post-disaster standards.
This is in line with the provincial government’s need to improve provincial earthquake preparation and disaster response. Having first-responder facilities built to this standard will ensure that emergency responders, like fire fighters, paramedics, police and search and rescue are able to operate after a major earthquake strikes, said Hathaway.
It is something that Powell River residents are acutely aware of, said Hathaway, explaining the region’s isolation makes self-sufficiency all the more important.
The province has come under increased pressure over the past few years as reports have shown it is not properly prepared to deal with a catastrophic earthquake. In 2014, the province’s auditor general said BC government had not made major earthquake preparation a priority.
Then earlier this year, in a followup report commissioned by the province and headed by Henry Renteria, former head of California’s Office of Emergency Services, came to a similar conclusion calling for more effort from government and all levels of society.
The proposed fund would give local governments access to $1 million per year for 10 years for upgrading and new construction of fire halls, reception centres and search-and-rescue facilities, as well as the ability to apply for other federal grants.
“There will be residual money in there every year and my guess is that after 10 years they won’t have to contribute anything anymore,” said Hathaway.
Powell River Regional District spent approximately $1 million to build Northside Volunteer Fire Department’s Craig Road station to post-disaster standards, she said.
Before presenting the resolution to the UBCM convention floor, Hathaway floated the idea past a few provincial cabinet ministers who she said thought the idea had merit. At least one minister told her it might be difficult for the minister of finance, she said.
The resolution received almost unanimous consent on the floor. Hathaway said she saw only a few delegates vote against it.
“It’s not hard to get a motion passed there unless it’s hugely controversial,” she said. She explained that without followthrough the resolutions do not often go anywhere and that they are often the starting point for a developing conversation with the provincial or federal governments.
Hathaway added that preparations are already moving forward to create a UBCM committee and plan meetings in Victoria. “There’s a lot of groundwork that still needs to be done,” she said.
UBCM conference delegates from the city and regional district were able to take in a variety of presentations, resolution workshops, receptions and other opportunities for networking.
“It was action-packed,” said councillor Jim Palm. “We were running from meeting to meeting. You’re always networking and going to functions in the evening.”
Councillors met with a number of cabinet ministers, including Peter Fassbender, Mary Polak, Shirley Bond, Naomi Yamamoto, Bill Bennett and Andrew Wilkinson, for 15-minute conversations on important issues.
Palm said in the seven years he has been attending the meeting, this year he felt had the best response from sessions with ministers.
Councillor Russell Brewer said there was great value in the annual conference for city council, but in particular for its new members.
“It’s a long conference that’s exhausting and invigorating at the same time,” said first-time councillor Karen Skadsheim. “It’s really great to get all the input from around the province and hear all the similar concerns.”
Brewer said the conference is valuable in giving provincial government and opposition MLAs an opportunity to hear the concerns of local government.
