Penticton council will be asked Tuesday, Feb. 6, to apply for a $30,000 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Staff are asking for council’s support in applying for the funds, which would be used from 2024 through 2025 for training of new and current team members, recruitment of new team members, purchasing of IT equipment, and enhancing the ESS administration areas.
“The grant will help the team obtain the resources, equipment, obtain the training, and better equip day-to-day administration to increase the team’s capacity, continue to modernize, and support the community during responses,” a report to council reads.
Over the last three years, the city has invested around $67,500 from UBCM grants for its ESS program.
The local ESS team says it needs $17,000 for equipment and training “to continue to modernize” when responding to emergencies, a report to council states.
Penticton’s ESS team has been recognized for several awards, including for when it supported hundreds of evacuees at its reception centre during the Keremeos Creek wildfire in 2022.
READ MORE: Penticton Emergency Services awarded for efforts during Keremeos Creek fire