SUNDRE — The municipality has a new director of emergency management.
Council recently gave the green light to recommended changes in the Municipal Emergency Management Bylaw, including the appointment of the fire chief as the new director of emergency management.
The bylaw is intended to establish a Municipal Emergency Advisory Committee, a Municipal Emergency Management Agency as well as an Emergency Management Protocol.
The amendments – approved by way of motion during the June 13 regular meeting of council – include the director of emergency management’s appointment, which was previously held by the town’s community peace officer.
The proposed amendments were brought forward following a revision process conducted by the Bylaw Policy Review Committee, which is also comprised of council members.
“There are a number of very small changes,” said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer.
In a report to council included in the meeting’s agenda package, administration concluded that the “bylaw is a combination of housekeeping items to more clearly reflect the language in the Emergency Management Act” as well as the Local Authority Emergency Management Regulation.
While the recommended amendments dealt largely with updated terminology, the revised bylaw also resulted in the official appointment of a new director of emergency management by naming the fire chief to the role instead of the peace officer.
The position had previously been filled by the municipality’s former peace officer, Kevin Heerema, who has since transferred over to Mountain View County, and had in his absence been taken on by Nelson in an interim or acting capacity.
Sundre fire Chief Ross Clews as per the bylaw's updated definitions now becomes the new director of emergency management.
With the appointment of director of emergency management being changed to the town’s full-time fire chief, Coun. Todd Dalke inquired if training and courses pertaining to emergency management as required by regulations were all in place.
“We’re up to snuff?” Dalke asked.
“Yes, all of the courses have been taken,” answered Nelson. “And we still also have our previous team in place as well.”
Council proceeded to give the amended bylaw its final readings to officially adopt the updated document, which is available on the town’s website.
In a follow-up interview with the Albertan on June 15, Clews confirmed the appointment, calling it a natural fit.
“A lot of towns actually use their fire department's chief, or a designate, as (director of emergency management),” Clews said.
“We’re trained in emergencies, we respond to emergencies,” he said, adding the position, "fits in with what we do for regular business."
