Kamloops is on provincial emergency task force but not the Okanagan

Central Okanagan emergency responders have been at the centre of natural disasters in recent years.

In 2021, 75 homes were destroyed by the White Rock Lake Wildfire in the Killiney Beach/Ewings Landing/Okanagan Indian Band areas on the west side of Okanagan Lake. This summer, 189 properties were damaged and 11,000 people evacuated in a matter of hours because of the McDougall Creek Wildfire in and around West Kelowna.

Yet no one from the Okanagan has been named to the 14-person task force recently struck by the province to, among other things, improve integration of fire departments and modernize the delivery of emergency supports.

“It is surprising that there is no representation from the Central Okanagan,” Jason Bedell, the Central Okanagan’s emergency operations services supervisor,” told iNFOnews.ca. “Unfortunately, our region is very well versed in responding to emergencies, whether it’s floods, wildfires or landslides. We have very experienced people here in the region.”

READ MORE: Mass wildfire evacuations force Central Okanagan emergency operations to rethink system

The 14-member task force has four First Nation representatives, including Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc out of Kamloops.

Scott Hildebrand, CAO of the Thompson Nicola Regional District, is also on the task force.

Two members are out of the premier’s office and there are representatives from four government ministries, including two from the Ministry of Forests.

The full list can be seen here.

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Despite the shun, Bedell believes the Central Okanagan will have a voice.

“I think it’s pretty high level for now but I am optimistic because I do hear the task force will be engaging with front line workers, First Nations and local governments,” he said. “We would very much welcome ongoing dialogue with the province and the task force.”

The task force is expected to make recommendations for changes in time for the 2024 wildfire season.

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