WHEREAS on Friday, April 13th, Public Safety Canada announced that at the end of 2012 they will eliminate the following federally funded emergency preparedness programs: - Joint Emergency Preparedness Program JEPP; - Funding for all 5 Heavy Urban Search and Rescue teams HUSAR; - Critical Infrastructure initiatives; and - Immediate closure of the Canadian Emergency Management College CEMC; AND WHEREAS over the past 10 years the Cowichan Valley Regional Emergency Program has made very good use of JEPP funds to assist in providing its citizens and municipalities with Emergency Management training programs, Emergency Planning exercises; Emergency Plan updates, telecommunication equipment, emergency generators; and office equipment, computers, display boards: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby Public Safety Canada to maintain the current level of funding to the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program JEPP, to the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue HUSAR team, and to the Canadian Emergency Management College CEMC.
Public Safety Canada Regarding the elimination of the JEPP, our Government recognizes the importance of an integrated and resilient approach to emergency management. Emergency management is a shared responsibility between all levels of government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and individual citizens. We also recognize that most emergencies in Canada are managed by municipalities or at the provincial or territorial level. Through our Governments substantial investment in emergency preparedness, the national response capability has been enhanced significantly across the country. Please note that JEPP funding remains in place for projects submitted for consideration in 2012-13.