The Public Safety Committee wants to decentralize emergency services in the event of a major disaster, says the group’s head, Councillor Kent Becker.
Speaking at Monday night’s regular council meeting, Becker said it makes sense to have more than one site.
“One of the issues that was discussed involved whether there would be the ability ... for people in outlying areas of the town to have other meeting places to go,” Becker said, calling on staff to review the options for different gathering places.
“People in Chartwell and Eaglecrest might not be able to get there and what about if something happened to that location?”
Although council quickly passed the measure, their doing so prompted a terse response from Barry Lee, who works with Oceanside Emergency Social Services.
Lee called for his group to be consulted about any future sites.
“The ones that have been chosen have been chosen for good reason and there are limited options for others,” he said.
A reception centre is the location designated by a local authority Emergency Social Services team as a safe gathering place. At a reception centre, individuals may receive assistance, as well as information.