AEMA Summit 2010

1. AEMA Summit 2010

2. Presentation Outline • Municipal Profiles • Background • Initial process • Implementation Process • Business Plan • Provincial Involvement • Current Status • Future Plans • Questions

3. Background • Municipalities demonstrated the “political will” to work together • Waste and water Commissions • Beaver County had a part time Fire Chief for several Years • Position became vacant • Municipalities agreed to consider replacing the County Fire Chief with a Regional Fire Chief

4. Fire Service Funding Formula • CAO’s had developed a funding formula for Fire Service operations • Based on station service area • 1/3 population • 1/3 parcel count • 1/3 call volume

5. Exploration Grant • I was hired to explore regional options • Sought information from: • Fire Chiefs • CAO’s • Emergency Services Committees of Councils

6. Options Considered • Society • Authority • Commission

7. Recommendations • That a Commission be established to manage a regional fire service • That existing assets be transferred to the Commission • That the funding formula be expanded to include capital replacement • That other services could be delivered under the umbrella of the Commission

8. Report Approval Process • Report provided to all elected officials, CAO’s and Fire Chiefs • Joint Council meeting held to discuss the report and answer questions • Commission option was approved unanimously in principle • Councils requested that a Business Plan be developed

9. AEMA Involvement • AEMA became aware that the Commission option was being considered • Offered to provide financial support • Liked the idea of providing Regional Emergency Management under the umbrella of the Commission

10. Implementation Process • I was hired to develop the Business Plan • Established 2 committees • Executive Committee • CAO’s • Regional Fire Chief • Myself • Steering Committee • One elected official from each municipality • Agreed that everything would be “in camera” until completed

11. Implementation Process • I worked closely with David Zayonce and the CAO’s • When decisions were required, a Steering Committee meeting was called

12. The Business Plan • Everything was based on 2009 dollars • Identified additional costs to operate the Commission • Identified cost savings and efficiencies • Saving of $1.5 million in capital replacement • Bulk purchase of supplies • Standard Operating Guidelines • Identified liability issues • Expanded existing formula to include capital replacement and developed a 20 year capital replacement program • Developed budget • Developed organizational structure and job descriptions • Recommended including Emergency Management be included in the Commission

13. The Business Plan • Business Plan provided to all elected officials (2 weeks in advance of scheduled meeting) • Joint Council meeting held to answer questions

14. Resolutions Presented Commission Mandate Commission Name Commission representation and quorum Transfer of assets Transfer of reserves Capital equipment replacement formula Location of Commission office Acceptance of Business Plan Appointment of Director of Emergency Management

15. The Results • All resolutions approved unanimously • Resolutions taken to each Council and formally approved • Beaver County was requested to apply to the Minister for the formation of the Commission

16. Provincial Government Involvement • Offered $250,000 in funding • Identified benchmarks • Quarterly reporting • Share experiences • Determined that the Emergency Management Act needed amendment to recognize a Regional Services Commission as a local authority • Amended the Act in the 2010 spring sitting of the legislature • Order in Council signed April 29,2010

17. Questions