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West Kelowna councillor wants report on emergency services response to wildfires

'We are at the cusp of another fire season, and we still don91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t have a review of last year'
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West Kelowna Councillor Rick de Jong. (Photo/Rick de Jong Facebook)

West Kelowna councillor Rick de Jong wants to know why Central Okanagan communities still don91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t have a promised review of emergency services relating to last year91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s wildfires. 

The issue came up during a June 13 Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) committee meeting. 

de Jong, an RDCO director, noted that West Kelowna council passed a resolution in October 2023 asking for a review of the Emergency Support Services (ESS) response to the McDougall Creek wildfire.

There was public criticism of ESS during the crisis over long wait times and insufficient assistance. The RDCO also sent a letter to the Ministry of Emergency Management in Oct. stating the Grouse Complex wildfire 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœstrained the system.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

West Kelowna council was informed by the RDCO in November that the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) would conduct a standard after Action Review (AAR) through a third party, and that key findings would be shared with regional partners and the public. 

de Jong also referenced an April 2024 letter signed by municipal CAO91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s in the region indicating the AAR was underway.  

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœTo date, West Kelowna has yet to see any such report. It is my understanding the report is done.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

He told his colleagues he was looking for a response from the RDCO.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœAt least when it comes to what happened at ESS, being how heavily impacted West Kelowna residents were.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Staff told directors there is still an intent to inform communities and the public of key findings, but that 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœthe ESS review was not included in the scope of the AAR.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

de Jong pointed out that the findings were promised months ago.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœHere we are  in June, we are at the cusp of another fire season91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¦and we still don91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t have a review of last year.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Directors Wayne Carson and Kevin Kraft supported de Jong91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s comments.

de Jong plans to bring forward a motion asking that staff prepare a report on the AAR for distribution to the RDCO board.



Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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