The City of Grande Prairie is looking at signing a Northwest Alberta Emergency Resource Agreement. Deputy Fire Chief Preben Bossen says this would have other resources brought in from other areas of north west Alberta in a disaster situation. The idea was sparked in Peace River after disasters such as the Fort McMurray wildfire.
“Based on those disasters, we realized we need a bigger network to work together and solve those challenge when they come our way on that larger scale”
He adds that even if this agreement were signed, Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership would be the first resources used. Bossen explains that the cost would depend on the disaster.
“The requesting party, the party requesting for the resources would foot the bill. If it were High Level, High Level would pay for us to come up [to help].”
Around 20 municipal councils have signed the agreement including the MD of Greenview, the Town of Grande Cache and Saddle Hills County.
The city will now look at what operations would look like if they were to sign the agreement.