The Kennebecasis Valley is creating its first Emergency Management Organization.

Mike Boyle became EMO director when he was hired as KV’s fire chief last year.

In an update to Quispamsis council last week, Boyle said the organization’s goal is to keep residents safe.

“We want to understand the risks that the community faces, what can we do to prevent or at least lessen the impact of those risks, and how do we manage a joint response if something happens,” said Boyle.

Under the emergency management program, individuals have the main responsibility to protect their life and property, and to prepare for and manage events that impact their home and personal safety.

When the individual is overwhelmed, the public safety agencies and municipalities have a responsibility to intervene. The KV EMO takes over when public safety agencies and municipalities are unable to cope.

Boyle said the organization will have a committee and one deputy EMO director for each community. Quispamsis and Rothesay will also have their own emergency preparedness teams.

In addition to preparing for possible disasters, emergency preparedness exercises and after-action reviews will be a big part of the program.

Boyle said he plans to make a funding request to the KV’s joint finance committee later this month.

“In order to do this, we need to fund it,” he said. “I think the way to look at this is we have a shared library service, shared police, shared fire, and now a shared EMO.”

The organization still has to complete its detailed risk assessment and final program document, among other things.

Boyle said he anticipates KV EMO will be fully up and running within the next three to five years.