The City of West Kelowna will receive the '2018 American Public Works Association ‘Exceptional Performance in Adversity Award’ for its 2017 flood response. The City was nominated for the award by the Public Works Association of BC.
The City’s flood response team included 27 City Parks staff including 15 summer students, 23 Public Works staff including three students, and 32 West Kelowna Fire Rescue personnel. Flash flooding caused bridge and road closures and threatened other public infrastructure and private property for over 3 months.
West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater said, “I have seen our crews do tremendous things on a day to day basis, but I have never witnessed such perseverance, dedication and grit as I did last year. Even weeks into the relentless event, when I visited impacted areas, I would see our staff, no doubt tired and stressed, but continuing to work as hard as they did on day one, literally doing everything they could to keep the waters at bay. It was humbling and heartwarming and I am very proud of all involved.”
The City’s response team was supported by an active Emergency Operations Centre, BC Wildfire Service and many contractors and consultants.
“It was all hands on deck for approximately 16 weeks and none of us had ever experienced anything like it before,” says Chris Anderson, Public Works Manager, City of West Kelowna. “Looking back it was the biggest natural emergency we have ever dealt with in our community but what was borne out of that time of incredible adversity is a heightened sense of cooperation and comradery amongst our team.”
The City will receive the award at the American Public Works Association Expo on August 27th.