The neighbouring municipalities of Rhineland and Montcalm are taking a regional approach to emergency management by creating a joint part-time emergency coordinator position. Councils for both communities have agreed to share the costs of the position on a one year trial basis.

According to Rhineland reeve, Don Wiebe, the partnership will turn the job into a more significant one while maintaining the local priorities of each municipality.

"It's a very important piece but it's a small piece, and it's only big when there's an emergency, but there is ongoing work that needs to be done in terms of planning for these disasters and how to respond to various situations," he added.

Paul Gilmore, reeve for the R.M. of Montcalm, is pleased to be partnering with Rhineland on this effort.

"We have a good working relationship with Rhineland, and it's sort of a win-win for both of us," he said.

Because the two municipalities share similar concerns such as floods and drainage, both reeves agree that this agreement makes sense.

As far as the R.M. of Montcalm is concerned, its current emergency coordinator is also a member of council, and Gilmore notes the preference would be for that position to be separate from the governing body.

Additionally, the hope is that this more dedicated position will also attract candidates with a wider range of expertise.