During the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) meeting on February 3, two co-ordinator positions were brought to the table, one for renewal, and one new position for approval.
The Columbia Valley Emergency Program Deputy/Training Co-ordinator between the RDEK and Martin Caldwell was approved for renewal by the directors.
The emergency program would like to enhance the level of training to management committee members through in-house training initiatives.
In-house training allows the emergency program to provide regular, affordable and practical training opportunities. The training co-ordinators from each of the subregions would work together and share lesson plans and exercise materials to form a training and exercise program.
The deputy/training co-ordinator will be responsible for tracking all committee members’ training to identify appropriate personnel for Emergency Operations Centre positions.
“Training for all levels of the Emergency Program is crucial,” said Dee Conklin, Village of Radium Hot Springs director. “Martin Caldwell will be overseeing that all members of the Emergency Program have the appropriate training.
“He is also the liaison between the sub-regions who work together to share lesson plans and exercise materials to form the training needed for the area.
“Martin has also been updating his skill levels and we are thrilled to have him back on board.”
There was a proposed position for the Columbia Valley Emergency Program Deputy/Emergency Social Services Co-ordinator between the RDEK and Sharon Pasowisty.
This new position was unanimously approved by the directors.
Sharon Pasowisty currently fills the role of ESS Director for the Columbia Valley region and is a volunteer with the Columbia Valley Emergency Program.
The ESS is an important aspect of the emergency program. The role of the Deputy/ESS Co-ordinator is to ensure an adequate number of volunteers, current supplier contracts and development and maintenance of the whole ESS system to enable our program to adequately assist disaster victims.
“If we were ever to have a large-scale emergency, we need to be prepared and have the right people in place. With these positions, we have the resources needed to respond to whatever is necessary in an emergency situation,” said Wendy Booth, Electoral Area F director.
“The more services we have available in an emergency situation, the better off we are. Both positions play an important role during an emergency as well as planning, training and preparedness,” said Ute Juras, Canal Flat’s director.
The ESS provides short-term assistance to local victims who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies.
This assistance includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification.