Town to advocate for provincial emergency response funding

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore is looking to advocate for provincial support for more small and rural municipalities to be allocated resources for the purposes of acquiring first response radio communications equipment.

“Alberta Municipalities conducts a resolution process that allows members to identify issues and potential solutions that eventually could perhaps allow their board of directors to advocate to the province and federal government,” said Johnathan Strathdee, manager of legislative services for the Town of Strathmore.

Presented before the committee of the whole was a proposed resolution for their consideration to have Alberta Municipalities advocate for the Government of Alberta to provide financial support for municipalities with populations of less than 3,000, and for regional groups to obtain the necessary equipment to participate in the Alberta First Responders Communication System.

“The desire is that if the province is able to provide financial support to smaller municipalities, more municipalities would be able to access the AFRRC system (Alberta First Responders Radio Communications) which would then allow for greater collaboration, and streamlined communication in the event of an emergency,” he added.

The expense to municipalities can range between $5,000 and $15,000 per radio unit. 

The Town of Strathmore recently budgeted $250,000 for the purchase of adequate AFRRC System equipment.

Ongoing concerns are that smaller municipalities may not be able to afford the upfront expense of purchasing the equipment and would be lesser able to respond to regional emergencies.

Resolutions to Alberta Municipalities must be seconded by another municipality. Between the mover and seconder, two of three categories of population must be represented, being less than 2,500, 2,501 to 10,000, and/ or greater than 10,000 people. 

The town has extended an invitation to another municipality, which was not specified during the committee meeting, to see if they would be interested in seconding their motion suggesting advocacy. 

A response has not yet been received by the town by the invited municipality. Strathmore must submit their resolution prior to a May 31 deadline, though is aware the invited municipality is considering a similar motion.

Coun. Melissa Langmaid said she did not believe there would be any hostility from the currently invited municipality should the town extend their invitation to another village, should the invited municipality continue to be unresponsive as the motion deadline approaches. 

“One of the benefits of where we are at in the timeline is that we do have some time now to wait and hear back from them and if they are presenting a similar motion, it just makes good sense to partner,” said Strathdee.

Further updates regarding the motion will be provided before council as more information becomes available.