Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge climate plans receive a boost from the province

Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge are both receiving thousands of dollars from the province to combat climate change-related disasters.

On March 25, Pitt Meadows announced that it had received nearly $20,000 to support an Emergency Support Services project (ESS), a volunteer-led program that helps residents who are forced to evacuate their homes due to a fire, flood or other emergency. 

The funding is expected to cover training costs for volunteers — notably an exercise that will test the team’s ability to set up a reception centre in a crisis — and new equipment. ESS members will also be trained in emergency pet training. 

Mayor Nicole MacDonald said in a press release that the funding would be critical for the city in the future, especially considering flooding can happen at any time in Pitt Meadows, according to the city’s website. 

About 85 per cent of Pitt Meadows is located within a floodplain, meaning a majority of the city is susceptible to heavy rain, spring freshet or mechanical failures at one of the pump stations.  

“As climate-related emergency events are happening more frequently, it is imperative that our dedicated volunteers receive the necessary practice,” MacDonald wrote. 

The news came four days after the City of Maple Ridge was awarded with $150,000 to conduct a climate-related multi-hazard risk assessment to protect residents during floods and other extreme weather events. 

“This risk-assessment will help the city of Maple Ridge be better prepared for future emergencies,” wrote Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission, in a press release. 

“As the impacts of climate change have become more and more of a reality, our communities have had to become more focused on resilience.” 

Both grants are covered under the provincial government’s $39-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), which is helping more than 50 local governments and First Nations prepare for climate disaster. 

During the November 2021 atmospheric river that brought unprecedented levels of rain and landslides to the south coast, Maple Ridge escaped relatively unscathed, according to the city. 

But there could have been significant damage to the city if the storm persisted. 

“We were fortunate that the storm abated before damage was done to the roads and bridges along the north and South Alouette rivers which would have blocked access into the Silver Valley neighbourhoods,” the city said following the storm.

There is no timeline for when the risk-assessment study will be completed. 

Residents can learn more about Maple Ridge’s current climate action strategy here. Pitt Meadows’ flooding prevention plan is also online.