Council gives boost to disaster-response capability

Osoyoos Town Council has given a boost to disaster-response services in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
It voted March 6 to endorse the new RDOS emergency planning bylaw, which calls for an evacuation plan, preparedness for disease pandemics, better radio communications, staff training, and an emergency operations centre.
Councillors said there is a lot of support for the new RDOS approach to disaster planning and it fits well with Osoyoos' own emergency plan.
Councillor Ted Cronmiller said, Emergency planning is an important aspect of our community and the Regional District “ and I think the service they're going to provide will be a valuable assistance to our programs.rnCouncillor Dick Flintoft said he felt comfortable supporting the bylaw knowing that RDOS values local input and wants to work together with each of the areas serviced.
RDOS indicated there are a lot of things each of the areas can work together on, he said.
Mayor John Slater said RDOS identified some shortcomings in emergency preparedness in a 2003 report, including radio communications and evacuation plans.
The search-and-rescue divisions and fire department chiefs in all the service areas are in agreement with this new regional plan, Slater noted.
It will dovetail into our own emergency plan for Osoyoos and we feel confident this RDOS plan will have a good working relationship and protocol agreement with all the other emergency services, he added.
The emergency planning service boundaries will include Osoyoos, Oliver, Princeton, Keremeos, Penticton, Summerland and Electoral Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.
The total district tax requisition for this service is set at $105,100 for 2006, and the Osoyoos tax requisition will be approximately $8,800.
The bylaw had been given three readings by the RDOS Board and needed approval from the town.