The Town of Princeton is showing its commitment to regional cooperation in emergency preparedness.
At the June 18 regular meeting, council approved an emergency services memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Town and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). The agreement establishes a one-year term of partnership in program planning and pre-response situational awareness for the municipality and surrounding RDOS Area H.
"The Town of Princeton has historically supported the RDOS with emergency planning and pre-response situational awareness in both the municipal and surrounding RDOS areas," Princeton chief administrative officer Lyle Thomas said.
Princeton's emergency response teams currently assist with provincial-level initiatives by promoting and supporting RDOS and provincial emergency preparedness. They support the creation of collaborative initiatives, emergency planning efforts and inter-agency coordination focused on the Similkameen Valley corridor. Entering into an MOU formalizes the working relationship between the town and RDOS that has been ongoing for years.
"The MOU reflects a shared commitment to regional cooperation in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation in line with the RDOS goal of 'One Region Working Together,'" Thomas said. "It is a great step forward and a good acknowledgement of the work we do together."
The RDOS will contribute $42,000 as part of the MOU.
The partnership would work on four key areas:
- Situational awareness and monitoring
- Community preparedness and engagement
- Training and capacity building
- Strategic collaboration and planning
Princeton's emergency services department is currently working on these areas and the MOU adds clarity to the working relationship the town has with the RDOS.
