Avalanche
The Alberta Government recently announced that they will renew their funding for Avalanche Canada. This renewal promises Avalanche Canada a total of $750,000 in funding through 2020, with $250,000 coming annually. The money will be used to support public avalanche safety, forecasting, and backcountry education programs that are intended to help prevent avalanche fatalities.
“Over the past decade, half of all avalanche fatalities in Canada were residents of Alberta. And of all snowmobilers killed in avalanches, about two-thirds were from Alberta,” stated Avalanche Canada.
Since 2005, the Government of Alberta has been a crucial source of funding for Avalanche Canada. Technology advancements and an increase in avalanche education have definitely decreased fatalities related to avalanches. There is still a long way to before a real difference can be made, but we are moving in the right direction.
“About 8,000 people each year take an avalanche training course offered by Avalanche Canada and the money from the grants will give them the tools and knowledge they need to make quick decisions in emergency situations,” stated Calgary News.
