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Township of Langley served notice to withdraw from joint emergency program

Feb. 14, 2023, Langley, B.C. – On Jan. 11, the Township of Langley’s acting fire chief served written notice to the Langley city fire chief to withdraw from the Joint Langley Emergency Program that has successfully served both communities for almost 25 years.

Under the City’s Emergency Program Bylaw, 2009, No. 2775 and the Township’s Emergency Program Bylaw, 2009, No. 4748, either municipality may withdraw from participating in the inter-municipal emergency program by providing written notice at least six months in advance of the withdrawal.

Over the years, the Joint Langley Emergency Program has allowed the two communities to jointly develop and coordinate community plans for preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery in conjunction with emergency responders, other municipal departments, and community agencies under the purview of a joint Emergency Planning Coordinator.

“The Joint Langley Emergency Program has served both the City and the Township well during times of emergency and disaster by sharing resources, support, and expertise from both communities,” said Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal in a press release. “You need all hands on deck when responding to an emergency or a disaster. The city regrets that the benefits from this joint emergency program will end after decades of successful partnership and coordination.”

The city recognizes that there will be financial and operational implications to both communities by severing the joint Langley Emergency Program.