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For a second straight year, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is losing its emergency services manager.
Paul Edmonds' last day in the position will be Aug. 24. He joined the regional district early this year, bringing 23 years of experience in national disaster management in the United Kingdom.
Edmonds said he has a new opportunity to do independent contract work and help communities around B.C. affected by disasters, and he's hoping to work on the provincial government's policies as well.
"From my past role, I'd just like to cover a larger area. With my new opportunity I think I may be able to do it," he said.
"The flooding has slowed down a little bit, obviously there's still lots to be done. In fact I'm just going through lists now of what has to be done. And we're in a lull and a good state for fires, and it was the right time to move on."
Edmonds added he'll continue to live in Penticton with his family.
"I've offered the RDOS, if they wish, to come back to ensure continuity. I would like to add I am leaving on a positive note."
His predecessor, Dale Kronebusch, quit in the spring of 2017 after having been emergency services supervisor for eight years. Kronebusch's departure came amidst the worst flooding in the region in recent memory.
CAO Bill Newell didn't comment on the nature of either resignation but said Edmonds will be missed.
"He's done a great job, we're really sorry to lose him."
As of late June, the regional district staff had logged 3,365 hours of overtime with the Emergency Operations Centre. Edmonds said the long hours "come with the territory."
"When the [regional district's] EOC is operating at 40-50 people with up to 400 people out on site, from my background, that's an average major incident in the U.K.," Edmonds said.
He said the regional district has taken steps this year to make the EOC more resilient, which includes securing a long-term lease space for emergency operations.
Newell added Edmonds' departure doesn't impact the regional district's view on staffing requirements, noting emergency operations is a "sporadic industry" and is busier some years than others.
