A report last week from the Auditor General for Local Government focused on 15 recommendations for the Fraser Valley Regional District to address shortfalls in its emergency management planning.
FVRD Chair Jason Lum said they found the process, and the AGLG’s recommendations, “very constructive.”
“Nothing came as a surprise,” Lum said when asked for reaction to the report. “We are actioning many of the items identified.”
READ MORE: Freshet 2018 saw Island 22 closed due to flooding
The recommendations zeroed in on meeting statutory requirements and governance, to emergency planning, resourcing, training, exercises and testing emergency plans, raising public awareness and continuously improving emergency management.
“I was pleased to see the Fraser Valley Regional District beginning to make some changes to its emergency management program in anticipation of our audit,” AGLG Gordon Ruth said. “I hope our report will assist the regional district to continue strengthening its emergency management program.”
An 88-page report on the auditor’s findings was released Dec. 12, stating the FVRD “only partially met” the expectations included in the audit objectives and needs to take steps to “significantly strengthen its emergency management and business continuity practices” to be better prepared for potential emergencies.
The emergencies could be flooding, wildfires or even a tsunami that would have devastating regional impacts on infrastructure.
READ MORE: Auditor General on FVRD emergency planning
The function of the AGLG is to “provide opportunities for local government to examine their processes and to learn from best practices across the province,” the FVRD chair added.
“Our confidence remains strong in our ability to meet expectations,” Lum added.
The FVRD’s performance audit report is available on the AGLG’s website: www.aglg.ca.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
@CHWKjourno
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.