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A resilience centre will be opened in Rock Creek and Oliver to help support the victims of recent wildfires in the area.
Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto made the announcement on Tuesday.
"We know this is a difficult and uncertain time for many residents. Our hearts are with those who have had to leave their homes, and especially those who have suffered the terrible loss of losing a home to the fires," said Yamamoto. "On top of the Emergency Social Services support the Province and partners are providing, we are seeing a tremendous level of resilience. Communities are coming together to help one another and agencies are joining in to provide vital support. This is the true co-operative spirit of British Columbians, working together to help each other in a time of need."
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The centre will be supported by the Integrated Disaster Council of B.C. and will help affected residents with support programs offered by agencies such as the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Counselling support through Disaster Psychosocial Services will also be provided to help residents and volunteers work through the emotional trauma that a disaster can present.
So far, at least 30 homes have been destroyed by the Rock Creek wildfire and residents are just returning home to learn the fate of their houses.
"The people of Rock Creek, Westbridge, Oliver and others affected by these fires must now focus on rebuilding their communities and their homes which makes this type of relief so important," said Mike Morris, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. "I want to make sure that we do what we can to prevent this from happening again while we also focus on helping the citizens of this region return to normal. I am moved by the resilience of these people and proud of the support from British Columbians throughout the province."
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The residents who have lost their homes or structures are unlikely to receive provincial disaster financial assistance as fire is an insurable risk. This means homeowners and renters can get personal insurance to cover fire damage.
“To be eligible for assistance, the damage must be from an event which is uninsurable including overland flooding and groundwater seepage,” reads the Emergency Management BC website. “Insurable damages, such as sewer or sump pit back-up, water entry from above ground including roofs, windows or other areas of the building that are not at ground level, are not eligible for DFA. Snow load, wind, fire and earthquake damage are also insurable and therefore not eligible for assistance.”
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While many residents may not be able to access the assistance program, there may be other avenues victims may be able have access to in order to help with the rebuilding process.
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