The Ottawa city council approved a pilot program to enhance community resilience against extreme weather events. The program will provide grants to local organizations to support residents during meteorological emergencies such as derechos, tornados, and floods.
The $1-million pilot was endorsed by the city’s environment committee, allowing organizations to apply for up to $50,000 to develop emergency plans and acquire essential equipment like mobile generators and flashlights. Eligible applicants include community associations, faith-based groups, and non-government organizations.
Nichole Hoover-Bienasz, the city’s director of climate change and resiliency services, highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, citing the 2022 derecho that struck Ottawa with winds reaching 190 km/h. In response, the city aims to empower neighborhoods to handle natural disasters effectively.
Angela Keller-Herzog, executive director of the advocacy group Community Action for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES), emphasized the importance of the program in addressing gaps in local emergency planning. A city survey revealed that less than one-third of community organizations had emergency plans in place, with priorities including training, coordination, public education, and maintaining communication during outages.
John Crump, president of the Glebe Community Association, expressed support for the initiative, recognizing the impact of climate change on communities. Don Kelly, director of safety for the Blackburn Hamlet Community Association, backed the program but raised concerns about logistical challenges in equipment storage and management by volunteer-based communities.