Emergency recovery resources and programs
The Province of B.C. works closely with First Nations, local authorities and businesses to ensure programs are in place to help those impacted by seasonal emergencies and disasters to recover.
If you know of a program or initiative that is not listed here, please contact the Provincial Disaster Recovery Branch.
On this page:
- Individual and family recovery programs
- First Nations support
- Business and agriculture recovery programs
- Indirect business support
- Resources for community recovery managers
Individual and family recovery resources
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Recovering after a wildfire and Recovering after a flood pages provide steps to consider before you re-enter or clean your home
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Visit a Red Cross Support Center or call 1 800 863-6582 (Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM PT) to make an appointment
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Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) can provide answers to individuals and businesses with insurance questions and concerns by calling 1 844 2-ASK-IBC (1 844 227-5422) Monday to Friday from 7AM to 4PM PST
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Call the Ministry of Children and Family Development at 1 877 387-7027 to access services for children, families and caregivers, including child and youth mental-health services
Mental health resources
The following mental health and wellness services provide short term emotional support to callers and match people with professional help available locally or elsewhere in the province.
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Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention - BC Crisis Centres: If you are in crisis now please call any of the crisis line numbers listed below or dial your local emergency telephone number (often 9-1-1).
- BC Crisis Line: 310-6789 (no need to dial area code)
- 1-800 (SUICIDE) or 1 800 784-2433
- KUU-US Crisis Line – Aboriginal crisis line (1-800-588-8717)
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Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)
First Nations support
Regional government staff works closely with First Nations communities to discuss local solutions for community recovery. As with all affected communities, First Nations governments work on land-based recovery efforts, including timber salvage and reforestation.
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First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Environmental Public Health Services provides public health inspection, assessment and advisory services for in-community facilities, including:
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Residential and public buildings for health and safety concerns.
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Residential and community drinking water and sewage disposal systems, including inspection and drinking water sampling.
Contact the FNHA Environmental Health Officer for your regional area.
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The Local Authorities and First Nations Recovery Toolkit (PDF, 500KB) is intended to guide Local Authorities and First Nations as they plan for disaster recovery, including planning for community recovery, infrastructure recovery, demobilization and debris management.
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The Financial Assistance for Emergency Response and Recovery Costs: A Guide for Local Authorities and First Nations (PDF, 971KB) provides local authorities and First Nations in British Columbia with information on the procedures required to maximize claims for financial assistance with the costs of both response and recovery.
Business and agriculture recovery programs
- The Agri-Business Planning Program provides support for Disaster recovery planning to help producers implement an immediate and long-term disaster recovery plan. The program will provide access to basic financial analysis, specialized business planning and coaching services.
- Community Futures provides on-the-ground supports for businesses. Businesses having a difficult time managing cash flow, planning for the future, selling their business, or seeking other supports are encouraged to contact their regional/ local Community Futures Office to learn about the range of supports available.
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The Northern Development Initiative Trust Business Recovery Competitiveness Consulting Rebate Program provides any business in the Cariboo-Chilcotin-Lillooet region impacted by the 2017 wildfires a rebate (75 per cent, up to a maximum of $15,000) toward the hiring of a consultant to help businesses with their recovery efforts.
Contact: info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca or 250 561-2525 -
InvestLocalBC is a crowdfunding platform designed for local non-profits to create online forums to fund, support and evolve their initiatives and projects. The standard five per cent fixed funding administrative fee is waived for non-profit organizations, businesses and arts and cultural organizations experiencing impacts from wildfires.
Indirect business support
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Destination BC is working with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and Kootenay Rockies Tourism (KRT) on spring travel promotions for each region.
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Northern Development Initiatives Trust has launched two new programs.
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The Strategic Initiatives Fund will fund up to $900,000 for broadly-focused strategic initiatives from communities.
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The Northern Industries Innovations Fund can be accessed by any resource-based company to help fund applied research, proof of concept and other steps involved in innovation development processes.
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Resources for community recovery managers
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The Province has developed a Interim Disaster Recovery Framework (PDF, 1MB) that leverages existing operational and governance structures at the local, regional, and provincial level in order to provide a strategic and coordinated approach while managing recovery activities of all levels. This framework is an interim measure and will be further developed.
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The Local Authorities and First Nations Recovery Toolkit (PDF, 500KB) is intended to guide Local Authorities and First Nations as they plan for disaster recovery, including planning for community recovery, infrastructure recovery, demobilization and debris management.
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Chapter 8 of the British Columbia Emergency Management System (BCEMS) Guide (PDF, 2.45MB) offers several models for community recovery in the context of comprehensive emergency management.
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EOC Forms and Templates includes an Expenditure Authorization Form and a Needs Assessment Form, both of which are directly relevant to short-term community recovery.
