SRD RECEIVES $180,00 GRANT TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Campbell River, BC – The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has received a grant through the 2022 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) grant to install tsunami warning sirens, enhance radio communication capacity, provide backup power and procure mobile EOC kits.

 

“This regional grant was made possible through partnership between the SRD, five municipalities and three First Nations.” said SRD Chair Brad Unger. “Through engagement with staff and emergency program volunteers we were able to construct a proposal that best met the needs of all communities involved.  I would like to thank everyone who provided their valuable input and local knowledge to guide us on our path to a successful application”.

 

The primary component of this grant application will be the installation of 5 tsunami warning sirens.

“Tsunamis are one of the most destructive events triggered by Mother Nature, these extremely powerful tidal waves are capable of crushing everything found in their path. This grant complements the achievements of our recent tsunami mapping initiative and helps us realize our consistent commitment to enhancing the safety of our west coast communities to this hazard” said SRD Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman. “Fair Harbour and the Gold River estuary areas will each receive their first tsunami siren. Secondary sirens will be installed in Zeballos, Tahsis and Walter’s Island to enhance the coverage of the primary siren already in those communities.”

 

The following projects will also be undertaken under this grant:

• Installing a Radio Over Internet Protocol (ROIP) to enhance communications between the Oclucje, Zeballos and Campbell River areas
• Installing a high frequency (HF) radio antenna in Tahsis
• Installing very high frequency (VHF) antennas in Sayward
• Providing additional emergency operation centre mobile kits to the City of Campbell River
• Installing a generator at Ehattesaht Chinehkint First Nation to provide backup power to their community buildings

 

To learn more about the tsunami mapping project and view resources such as inundation area maps, tsunami amplitude maps, tsunami velocity maps and tsunami simulation videos please visit www.srd.ca/tsunami-resources-maps.  It is crucial that both residents and visitors to the northwest coast of Vancouver Island are familiar with the risk of tsunamis to this area. 

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Media contact: 

Shaun Koopman, SRD Protective Services Coordinator, 250-830-6702 | skoopman@srd.ca