West 麻豆AV councillor Rick de Jong wants to know why Central Okanagan communities still don鈥檛 have a promised review of emergency services relating to last year鈥檚 wildfires.
The issue came up during a June 13 Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) committee meeting.
de Jong, an RDCO director, noted that West 麻豆AV 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 鈥渟trained the system.鈥�
West 麻豆AV 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 CAO鈥檚 in the region indicating the AAR was underway.
鈥淭o date, West 麻豆AV has yet to see any such report. It is my understanding the report is done.鈥�
He told his colleagues he was looking for a response from the RDCO.
鈥淎t least when it comes to what happened at ESS, being how heavily impacted West 麻豆AV residents were.鈥�
Staff told directors there is still an intent to inform communities and the public of key findings, but that 鈥渢he ESS review was not included in the scope of the AAR.鈥�
de Jong pointed out that the findings were promised months ago.
鈥淗ere we are in June, we are at the cusp of another fire season鈥nd we still don鈥檛 have a review of last year.鈥�
Directors Wayne Carson and Kevin Kraft supported de Jong鈥檚 comments.
de Jong plans to bring forward a motion asking that staff prepare a report on the AAR for distribution to the RDCO board.
