COQUITLAM, B.C., July 19, 2023 – Coquitlam will soon receive a $150,000 boost for its work pinpointing and planning for future risks, including natural disasters related to climate change.
The City’s Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis Project has qualified for provincial funding through the 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation Program, administered by the Union of BC Municipalities. On Monday, Council voted to send a letter of support to secure the $150,000 grant, which helps local governments reduce risks from hazards related to natural disasters and climate change.
Coquitlam Planning for Future Hazards
In January, the City kicked off an update to its Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis as one of the steps in developing a comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy for Coquitlam.
These types of analyses help communities identify and plan for future hazards that affect people, property, the environment.. The work involves assessing sources of potential harm, the likelihood the hazard will occur, potential severity of impacts, and who or what would be affected.
Coquitlam’s Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis will also include resiliency work taking place at the government and community level, and identify City tools and resources to support personal preparedness and community resiliency.
As well, the analysis will incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and B.C. climate-related emergencies in recent years such as flooding, wildfire and the 2021 heat dome. It will also address emerging global risks such as cyber-attacks, civil unrest and local risks associated with major critical infrastructure such as pipelines.
The work is being conducted in line with the Sendai Framework by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the standard used in British Columbia.
Next Steps
Once the Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis project is completed, City staff will prioritize the City’s risk-reduction efforts based on best practices and lessons learned, and bring forward a plan to develop a Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy in 2024.
Coquitlam’s Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy will provide an overarching framework that will replace many of the City’s specific plans, including the Disaster Response Plan adopted in 2016. More information about Coquitlam’s emergency preparedness work can be found at coquitlam.ca/ep.
Adapting to Climate Change
The Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis ties in with the continuing implementation of the City’s Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan, adopted in late 2020. Activities to date have included flood preparation work, an urban forest management plan, wildfire preparedness, public cooling centres and cleaner air spaces, water conservation measures, and backup power options for civic facilities.
The work aligns with the City’s Environmental Sustainability Plan, which will help guide City decision-making with consideration to climate action, the built environment, waste management, water management, and natural areas, wildlife and habitat.
For more information about the City’s climate action, visit coquitlam.ca/ClimateAction.
Leveraging Grant Funds to Meet Community Priorities
As part of its fiscally responsible approach, the City works throughout the year to research and secure grant opportunities, and seek corporate partnerships and other funding sources to augment revenue from property taxes.
This approach helps the City improve services or deliver projects earlier and with less impact on taxpayers. In some cases, the grants support local services that might not typically be provided by the City but are important for community resiliency.
Media contact
Nicole Kimmitt
Manager, Risk and Emergency Management
nkimmitt@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.