Town passes update to regional emergency management bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore passed the Regional Emergency Management Bylaw, No. 24-09, during the June 19 regular meeting.

It was recommended to council by administration that all three readings of the bylaw be held during the meeting. 

“During the last committee of the whole meeting, Apr. 10, council reviewed the bylaw and suggested changes. At that time, there were no significant changes,” said Dave Sturgeon, Strathmore fire chief. “During our annual review of the bylaw, an emergency plans staff from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) suggested changes to the regional emergency management bylaw 22-05. The proposed changes outline the regional partnership procedures, the agency, the committee and the roles and responsibilities tied to each, ensuring greater clarity for all partners.”

Some of the proposed changes in the bylaw presented to council included the removal of the planning coordination group, the addition of the City of Chestermere, authority and responsibility of both the emergency management committee, and of the regional emergency management agency. 

Sturgeon added the proposed changes to the bylaw align with the local authority emergency management regulations, and the provincial emergency management act. 

Proposed changes to the Regional Emergency Management Bylaw were first brought before town council during the April 10 committee of the whole meeting, which were then passed to administration to finalize the proposed bylaw prior to returning to council. 

The Regional Advisory Committee met on April 25 to review proposed changes to the bylaw. At the time, the committee did not provide feedback with concerns and were in support of the bylaw returning before Strathmore town council for approval. 

A Regional Emergency Management Program was established in 2019 for Wheatland County, the Villages of Hussar, Rockyford and Standard, and the Town of Strathmore, funded by the Province of Alberta. 

In 2022, the Town of Strathmore approved the Regional Emergency Management Agreement. Come 2023, this agreement was updated to include the City of Chestermere, which improved the capacity of the agreement to respond to large-scale emergencies and disasters. 

In order for the bylaw to have been able to receive all three readings during one council meeting, it was required that permission be unanimously given by council to hold third and final reading, following the first two.

Coun. Denise Peterson motioned to give first reading, followed by Coun. Melissa Langmaid to hold the second, Richard Wegener to give unanimous consent to third, then back to Langmaid who motioned for third and final reading. 

More information about the Regional Emergency Management bylaw is available via the Town meeting agenda and published minutes.