Comox Valley Regional District

Comox Valley Regional Emergency Warming Services

Updated: Wednesday, March 6, 2024

All regional emergency warming centres and services will be deactivated on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Please note: Comox Valley Emergency Management (CVEM) received funding approval from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) to support and coordinate regional emergency warming services during the recent cold snap from March 3rd to March 6th, 2024.

When activated, Comox Valley Regional Emergency Warming Services may consist of:

Emergency Warming Centres operated by local service providers;
Mobile wellness check services - to provide people in need of warming services with information, blankets, hand-warmers, snacks, hydration and information on warming services/centres available. This includes:
- Daytime mobile wellness check services in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland delivered by a local team of experienced outreach service providers.
- Overnight mobile wellness check services in Courtenay delivered by Courtenay Fire Rescue.
- Overnight mobile wellness check services in Cumberland delivered by Cumberland Fire Department.
Warming service partners may also arrange for one-way transportation to support those who are unable to reach warming services on foot.

Please note: warming centres may be activated when temperatures are forecasted by Environment Canada to drop below -4 degrees Celsius OR where snowfall warnings combined with temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius or lower.

Permanent and Temporary Emergency Shelter Service Information

BC 211 - text 2-1-1 or call 1-888-484-3211
BC Housing Emergency Shelter Program List

Throughout the winter months, Comox Valley Emergency Management (CVEM) monitors Environment Canada weather forecasts and predictions for our region and closely liaises with the Province of British Columbia when temperatures drop and weather-related alerts or emergencies are issued.

Comox Valley Emergency Management service staff coordinate with Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, First Nation and local government, provincial agency and service provider partners to activate the regional Warming Centre program as a life-safety measure during periods of extreme cold. Warming centres may be activated when temperatures are forecasted by Environment Canada to drop below -4 degrees Celcius OR where snowfall warnings combine with temperatures of 0 degrees Celcius or lower.

Warming centre services are delivered by local providers to offer:
- safe, warm, dry place of refuge
- access to washroom facilities
- a seating area
- snacks & refreshments
No sleeping areas are provided, and no registration is required at warming centres.

When activated, the list of regional Warming Centre locations and hours will be posted above and on EmergencyMapBC.

Comox Valley Emergency Management is a regional service in partnership with K'ómoks First Nation, the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay, the Village of Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District. All Comox Valley communities work collaboratively in the planning and implementation of local warming centres.

Warming Centres vs Emergency Shelters

Warming Centres	Emergency Shelters
Temporary low-barrier drop-in spaces activated as a life-safety measure during periods of extreme cold (based on Assistance to Shelter Act temperature thresholds of -4* or lower and/or during active winter warnings). Services are delivered by local service providers, to offer a safe, warm, dry place of refuge with access to washroom facilities, a seating area, snacks and refreshments. There are no sleeping areas or registration requirements. Funding is authorized by Emergency Management & Climate Readiness (EMCR) for regional warming centre operations when Environment Canada temperature thresholds for extreme cold are reached. All Comox Valley communities work collaboratively in the planning and implementation of local warming centres.	Provide basic services such as a place to sleep, eat and wash. Some shelters may offer additional services. Activation and deactivation protocols for temporary emergency shelters is based on a BC Housing pre approved temperature threshold list of BC Housing funded emergency shelters can be found here: https://smap.bchousing.org/. Shelter services are operated and delivered by local service providers under contract with BC Housing and/or through other funding sources.

Warming Centres

Emergency Shelters

Temporary low-barrier drop-in spaces activated as a life-safety measure during periods of extreme cold (based on Assistance to Shelter Act temperature thresholds of -4* or lower and/or during active winter warnings). Services are delivered by local service providers, to offer a safe, warm, dry place of refuge with access to washroom facilities, a seating area, snacks and refreshments. There are no sleeping areas or registration requirements.

Funding is authorized by Emergency Management & Climate Readiness (EMCR) for regional warming centre operations when Environment Canada temperature thresholds for extreme cold are reached. All Comox Valley communities work collaboratively in the planning and implementation of local warming centres.

Provide basic services such as a place to sleep, eat and wash. Some shelters may offer additional services. Activation and deactivation protocols for temporary emergency shelters is based on a BC Housing pre approved temperature threshold list of BC Housing funded emergency shelters can be found here:
https://smap.bchousing.org/. Shelter services are operated and delivered by local service providers under contract with BC Housing and/or through other funding sources.

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Comox Valley Warming Centres

Comox Valley Regional Emergency Warming Services

Updated: Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Permanent and Temporary Emergency Shelter Service Information

Warming centre services are delivered by local providers to offer: