ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT


                                              Date: January 24, 1996

   TO:       Vancouver City Council


   FROM:     The Emergency Management Committee (City Manager, Chief
             Constable,  Fire  Chief,  City  Engineer,  and  General
             Manager, Park Board) in conjunction with  the Directors
             of Risk and Emergency Management


   SUBJECT:  Hospitality Grant to Pan Pacific Hazards '96 Conference


   RECOMMENDATIONS

        THAT Council  approve a Hospitality Grant  of $5,000 to
        the  Pan  Pacific Hazards  '96  Conference  (July 29  -
        August 02, 1996).


   MANAGER'S COMMENTS

        The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.


   COUNCIL POLICY

   In 1990, Council identified Emergency Preparedness as one of  the
   city's seven corporate priorities  and supported the continuation
   of an expanded work program in this area.

   In  1986, Council adopted a policy to "... not consider financial
   support, in  the  form of  hospitality  grants or  otherwise,  to
   conventions  being held in Vancouver ... except in the event that
   senior City  staff, in their professional  capacity, are directly
   involved  in the event, and the topic is particularly relevant to
   the business  of the City."   Since this policy was  adopted, the
   City has provided a number of  grants, to a maximum of $5,000, to
   conferences on topics related to City interests.


   PURPOSE

   This  report requests  Council's  approval of  City of  Vancouver
   Hospitality Grant to the Pan  Pacific Hazards '96 Conference,  to
   be held in Vancouver on July 29 - August 2, 1996.



          


   DISCUSSION

   Pan Pacific Hazards '96 is an international conference and  trade
   show dealing with earthquakes,  tsunamis and volcanoes.  This  is
   the only  time this conference will  be hosted in Canada.   It is
   being  organized as  an  important Canadian  contribution to  the
   United  Nations'   International  Decade  for   Natural  Disaster
   Reduction  and will take  place July 29  - August 2,  1996 at the

                                 - 2 -

   Vancouver  Trade and Convention Centre.  Some 2,000 delegates and
   speakers from government, business and  academic communities from
   30 Pacific Rim countries are expected to attend.

   In  conference  sessions,   delegates  will  share   information,
   experiences and ideas on ways to reduce the social, environmental
   and economic impacts of natural disasters.  

   In  providing a  Hospitality  Grant, the  City of  Vancouver will
   receive  a booth in the  exhibit area and  registrations for City
   staff  to attend the conference.  A  number of City staff will be
   presenting  oral and  poster presentations  on City  of Vancouver
   emergency preparedness initiatives that will include:  salt water
   pumping  stations, Emergency Operations and Communications Centre
   (EOCC), public education in the multicultural community.

   The  Conference   will  include  a  "public   day"  during  which
   Engineering,  Fire  and  Police  Departments  will be  displaying
   equipment and exhibits for the public to view.




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