NORTH BATTLEFORD — Expect to see more regional co-ordination among the area’s fire departments in the future.
North Battleford Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services Lindsay Holm said at council Monday that his department is seeking a grant through the Targeted Sector Support Initiative, to be used towards developing a regional emergency management plan.
According to Holm’s memo circulated to council, the idea is to “create, maintain and co-ordinate” an effective community structure for the safety and well-being of residents in North Battleford, Battleford, the surrounding RMs of North Battleford and Battle River, and First Nation communities, including the members of the Battlefords Regional Communities Coalition.
Holm explained at council that they had researched the issue over the past year with the BRCC and the town.
He pointed to the recent Jan. 3 apartment fire, which prompted a response from multiple agencies including the North Battleford, Battleford and RM of North Battleford fire departments, as an example which highlighted the need to work regionally in the event of a major emergency.
“The one thing we kind of learned from that fire — we are going to have events which affect multiple jurisdictions at one time, and a tornado would be a perfect example of that. Our region really doesn’t have an emergency plan to help facilitate that.”
The availability of funding was made known to him by City Manager Randy Patrick, and they applied in time for the deadline, prior to council formally approving it at their meeting Monday. They hoped to hear later in the week if they were successful.
If successful, the grant would cover $75,000, with the remaining $25,000 to be cost shared among the municipalities and the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition. The exact percentages haven’t been determined yet but Patrick said that will come back to council.
Of the $100,000, half would go towards the emergency plan development contract with the rest split among emergency management software and training, project supplies and operation expenses.
Mayor David Gillan said at the meeting he was “really excited to see regional collaboration” and that this was in line with the city's strategic plan.
“It fills a great need in our community to look at regional emergency response.”
