As the cold weather approaches, B.C.’s capital city will be testing a new model for keeping its most vulnerable citizens warm.

“It’s a little bit more nimble and flexible, and I think it’s going to be a lot more effective in its reach and its effectiveness,” Dan Atkinson, Victoria’s Fire Chief said.

“So this year we’re going to be deploying two levels of response when all shelters are full. We’ll be out in the community with enhanced wellness checks, we’ll be distributing resources for people to stay warm, and we’ll be activating warming tents and warming buses as well.”

Atkinson said this two-tier approach not only includes tents and buses but also distributing hundreds of kits to help people stay warm and dry.

“Each individual municipality is responsible for assessing their own level

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