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BC  

Equipment for BCSARA

A total of $5 million will be going toward search and rescue programs across B.C., according to a provincial government announcement.

That's part of an $80-million investment in emergency preparedness from the province, and will go toward supports for first responders – including critical stress management programs and technical certifications – and to funding the AdventureSmart search and rescue prevention program.

B.C. Search and Rescue Association will also be getting new equipment and upgrades and maintenance to its current equipment, including communications and rescue equipment.

"This year's disbursements and the new funding announced will continue to fill gaps and ease pressures on the 2,500 volunteers in the province," said BCSARA president Chris Kelly.

The $5 million will be in addition to $500,000 heading to BCSARA, announced on Mar. 15 for a pilot project for using the Public Safety Broadband Network Deployable Systems. That project will use communications networks to help emergency responders in spots where regular communication infrastructure is damaged or non-existent.

 

The $80-million announcement on Mar. 15 will be going toward various aspects of emergency preparedness, including flood protection and prevention, seismic safety, search and rescue and fire prevention.



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