Now more than ever the professionalism and all you do --- your job is very much appreciated. And, thank you for acknowledging this is a worst-case-scenario situation”

Jerry Bien-Willner

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JBW: Paradise Valley public safety precautions paramount as COVID-19 concerns permeate

By Terrance Thornton
Twitter: @ININEWSMAN

The Town of Paradise Valley has taken formal steps to join the Arizona Mutual Aid Compact among fellow municipalities and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs in order to maintain critical public services under catastrophic circumstances.

Paradise Valley Town Council unanimously voted April 9 to enter into the mutual aid agreement for a 10-year period at Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive.

Paradise Valley Police Chief Peter Wingert, hours prior to the formal adoption during the governing body’s study session, outlined tenets of the agreement.

“Basically, it gives the ability to ask for and receive assistance directly by and through members of the mutual aid compact,” he said pointing out an ongoing case. “Right now we are going through a missing person situation. We are using a bloodhound, which we received from a call for aid. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to locate that person.”

Embodied in Paradise Valley resolution No. 2020-12, the Arizona Mutual Aid Agreement entitles all participating members to call upon each other for support in the event of an emergency when all other options have been exhausted.

Chief Wingert points out during the ongoing statewide stay-at-home order made by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey --- which remains in effect until April 30 --- comes on the heels of a formal call of State of Emergency made in late March.

“If I would have 50% of staff that was stricken with a virus, for example, I would be reaching out for assistance,” Mr. Wingert said of the benefits of the pact. “Joining the mutual aid compact allows us to participate and be reimbursed when appropriate --- this would be a way for the municipality to maintain service levels during a time of an emergency.”

--- Peter Wingert

According to tenets of the Arizona Mutual Aid Compact, if a State of Emergency is declared a requesting party can prepare an itemized voucher of all allowable costs provided to the providing agency for services rendered, which would be paid by the state of Arizona.

Also, state law allows for reimbursement to occur between public safety entities providing aid to one another.

“The compact runs in 10-year periods,” Mr. Wingert pointed out. “It goes into effect as soon as it is ratified by the Town Council and we would have to file with the Secretary of State. You will see it on the consent agenda with an emergency clause ... just living in the world we are in today.”

As of press time, there have been more than 3,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus throughout the state as more than half of those cases have been found in Maricopa County. More than 100 people have lost their lives to complications stemming from the COVID-19 virus in Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reports the Town of Paradise Valley ZIP code --- 85253 --- has more than 30 cases of the coronavirus and reports the virus is widespread.

Prior to formal adoption, Paradise Valley Councilman Paul Dembow lauded Mr. Wingert for his diligence on ensuring emergency services can be guaranteed for town residents during uncertain times.

“This seems like an excellent way for our towns to have these additional emergency services,” he said.

Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Julie Pace noted the cooperation amongst the first-responder family throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area as Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner offers worst-case scenarios have to be considered.

“Now more than ever the professionalism and all you do --- your job is very much appreciated,” he said. “And, thank you for acknowledging this is a worst-case-scenario situation.”