Last updated: July 14, 2021
As a partner in health and wellness, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) works with communities and partners to respond to emergencies and events. The information below identifies supports available to BC First Nations Communities in response to local heat warnings issued by Environment Canada.
In addition to the supports below, please see the BC Centre for Disease Control's Guidance for Community Cooling Centres During B.C.'s Restart Plan for information on setting up a cooling centre.
1. FNHA
Environmental Public Health Services (EPHS) are available by contacting your regional EPHS manager. They can provide support with:
Environmental Public Health Services (EPHS) are available by contacting your regional EPHS manager. They can provide support with:
Setting up cooling centres, advice on avoiding heat effects, and air quality concerns
- Email environmental.health@fnha.ca or call your FNHA Regional Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Emergencies after hours: Phone: 1-844-666-0711 or email ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca
- Calls or emails received after 10:00 p.m. will be returned the next day at 6:00 a.m.
2. Emergency Management British Columbia (EMBC)
Please reach out to your EMBC regional office to set up a task number.
Reimbursements are limited to incremental costs. Examples include:
- Staff wages/overtime to open a facility that would otherwise not be open
- Workers Compensation coverage for Emergency Support Services volunteers
- Water for use/distribution within the facility
- Transportation to and from cooling centers in communities where no scheduled public or reasonable transportation exists: (Requires Expense Authorization Form approval from the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre)
- For communities that do not have suitable facilities, please contact EMBC to discuss options
- A State of Local Emergency is not required
EMBC Regional Office contacts:
South West Region: PREOC2.ops1@gov.bc.ca
Central Region: PREOC3.ops1@gov.bc.ca
South East Region: PREOC4.ops1@gov.bc.ca
North East Region: PREOC5.ops1@gov.bc.ca
North West Region: PREOC6.ops1@gov.bc.ca
After hours, call the Emergency Coordination Centre at 1-800-663-3456 and ask to speak to the Regional Duty Manager for your area.
3. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Access supports for commercial accommodation for Elders and vulnerable populations by contacting the ISC Duty officer at bcaandc.do@canada.ca.
Download this information in PDF format here.
