REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: November 20, 2018 Report No. CSS-18-016
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Sara Jansen, Emergency Program Manager
SUBJECT:
Title
Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Application - Emergency Social Services StreamEnd
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council support by way of resolution a $25,000 application for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Social Services Stream, and authorize the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute any agreements related to a successful grant application.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Emergency Program Act, RSBC 1996, c.111
Emergency Management Bylaw, 2015, No. 2853
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Continue working with government and school district stakeholders to promote positive relationships and advance issues impacting the community
-Promote emergency preparedness through shared initiatives and training
BACKGROUND:
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a suite of funding programs intended to enhance the resiliency of local governments and their residents in responding to emergencies. Funding is provided by the Province of BC and is administered by Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). The funding stream being applied for is “Emergency Social Services (ESS).”
The grant application requests:
1. Funding for a consultant to assist the Esquimalt ESS Team in the design and delivery of an exercise to set up a reception centre in one of our community partner facilities in the north area of the Township. The Team has supplies to set up two full group lodging and reception centre locations. Currently all ESS materials are stored behind the Archie Browning Sports Centre located on the south area of the Township making it a challenge to transport resources to other areas of Esquimalt.
2. Funding for the purchase of two seacans that will allow us to:
a. Replace one deteriorating seacan where group lodging resources are currently being stored, and
b. Locate another seacan with reception centre and group lodging resources on a site in the north area of the Township so facilities can be set up more efficiently resulting in a better response for evacuee assistance by reducing loading, travel, and set up times.
3. Funding for the purchase of cots, blankets, signage, stationery, and other supplies necessary to set up an additional reception centre or group lodging facility in the north area of the Township.
4. Funding for the purchase of potable water storage tanks that will be stored in these seacans to allow bulk storage of purified water to evacuees in reception centres and group lodging facilities.
Regional partners will be invited to provide input, participate, and observe as necessary with learnings and tools shared with stakeholders, including Capital Region local authority ESS volunteers and the Province.
A Council resolution of support is a requirement of the funding application.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The CEPF is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of funding that can be used to enhance the resiliency of the Township of Esquimalt and our residents in recovery from emergencies. The addition of bulk water storage will provide a tool to assist in the distribution of an essential resource to Township evacuees.
2. Organizational Implications
Staff time will need to be allocated for the aforementioned exercise and overall project coordination. Staff will be required to administer the funding but the exercise design will be completed by a consultant. An ESS exercise will increase the capacity and ability of the Township ESS team to deliver services to impacted evacuees.
3. Financial Implications
There are no direct financial implications as 100% of the cost of eligible activities is contributed by the fund.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications
5. Communication & Engagement
Staff from relevant departments will be consulted in the exercise design to ensure holistic organizational involvement. Members of the community will be engaged to participate in the functional ESS exercise.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council support by way of resolution a $25,000 application for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Emergency Social Services Stream, and authorize the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute any agreements related to a successful grant application.
2. That Council does not provide a resolution in support of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund application.