Nine neighbours are teaming up with Lloydminster to supply a regional emergency management collective with some 42,000 people being covered with pooled finances of $32,178, plus grant dollars.
The combined regional emergency effort is being built to strengthen the area’s emergency preparedness under the recently signed Regional Emergency Management Collective (REMC).
“By joining forces, we reinforce our capacity to address emergencies effectively, protecting life and property through extreme situations. These initiatives are also an opportunity to strengthen inter-municipal relations and explore potential collaborations on future projects,” says Mayor Gerald Aalbers, City of Lloydminster.
Lloydminster will take on the role of regional director of emergency management. The other communities on both sides of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border are Kitscoty, Marwayne, Paradise Valley, Vermilion, Britannia, Eldon, Lashburn, Marshall, and Wilton.
“We recognize the importance of working together as a region and greatly value the expertise of our municipal partners as it relates to emergency preparedness,” says Mayor Chris Neureuter, Village of Marwayne.
Three goals are being targeted for 2024-25 including:
- Create a household-level preparedness campaign for public engagement
- Increase municipal readiness and response capacity through training, exercises, and agreements
- Ensure municipalities are compliant with applicable provincial legislation
“Establishing the regional emergency management collective underscores our mutual resolve to prioritize the safety and resilience of our communities,” says Reeve Larry Lundquist, Rural Municipality of Eldon No. 471.
The REMC is pooling financial and staffing resources to support regional emergency management programs and ensure a more resilient response to hazards and disasters, say organizers.