UBCM Emergency Preparedness Fund Application

Motion 16 · Council Meeting, April 11, 2023

On Consent

Summary

Council is asked to approve a $19,000 funding application to the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to support staff training for the Vancouver Emergency Management Agency (VEMA).
If successful, the grant would fund four training sessions delivered by the Justice Institute of BC: two sessions of "EOC Essentials" (covering Emergency Operations Centre fundamentals) and two sessions of "Psychosocial Resilience in Disasters," each accommodating up to 24 participants.
VEMA's training program was largely paused in recent years due to staff resources being directed toward COVID-19 response, the Strathcona encampment, heat emergency response, and Hastings Street operations, creating a pressing need to resume training.
The CEPF stream covers up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000; VEMA is not requesting additional funds for EOC equipment upgrades, as capital priorities are already funded through Technology Services.
A Council resolution is required as part of the grant application, and if approved, the City would need to sign a formal grant agreement with UBCM within 30 days of approval notification.