Richard Froese
Independent reporter
A new emergency management agency for the Town of Stettler has been formed while council established an emergency management committee under an updated bylaw to meet new requirements of the provincial government.
At its regular meeting Aug. 4, town council adopted the emergency management agency bylaw 1988-09 that updates the bylaw adopted in 1996.
“This is 95 per cent the same bylaw as before,” said town manager Rob Stoutenberg.
Updating the bylaw was completed with John Bishop, director of disaster services for the Town of Stettler, County of Stettler and other villages in the county.
“He’s trying to get all local municipalities under the same plan.”
“This is the provincial government’s goal to regionalize and standardize emergency bylaws,” said Stoutenberg.
Under the plan, the most significant change would be that the committee would include all members of council which will review plans annually under a director of emergency management.
The role of the committee changes under the new bylaw, with the power to declare or renew a state of emergency are delegated by to the mayor, or the acting mayor in absence of the mayor or a minimum of two councilors in the absence of the mayor and acting mayor.
This committee may, at any time when it is satisfied that an emergency exists or may exist, declare a state of local emergency and such a declaration shall be authorized by a resolution of council as soon as practical.
Councillor Dave Dennis suggested that a mock disaster be held to give partners hands-on and practical experience to help them handle an actual emergency.
Under the bylaw, the agency also includes deputy director, manager/administrator/clerk, police chief, fire chief, public information officer and other key service providers and officials.
The director has power to declare an emergency.
When a state of emergency is declared, the person ensures that the declaration identifies the nature of the emergency and announce the situation to the community and public.
