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