During a recent Spokane Valley council meeting, discussions centered on the critical need for reliable backup power generation for emergency communication systems. Resident John Harding raised concerns about the current lack of generator backup for communication towers, particularly in light of the region's harsh winter conditions. He advocated for the inclusion of both diesel and propane backup systems to ensure operational reliability during extreme weather.

City officials confirmed that while the current setup includes two diesel generators, plans are underway to install a new diesel generator as part of a facility remodel. However, Harding urged the council to consider dual-fuel options, citing the potential benefits of propane during prolonged cold spells. The council acknowledged the importance of exploring this avenue, especially given the increasing frequency of power outages reported by Avista.

Public comment highlighted the necessity of planning for future growth in emergency services, with resident Ben Lund emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to avoid chaos as the community expands. Council Member Merkel echoed these sentiments, stressing the urgency of addressing the emergency communication needs and expressing concern over how the current situation arose, suggesting it stemmed from previous missteps.

The meeting concluded with a vote on the emergency measures, which passed with a majority in favor. The discussions underscored the council's commitment to enhancing the resilience of Spokane Valley's emergency systems in the face of growing challenges. As the city moves forward, the exploration of dual-fuel backup systems will be a key focus, ensuring that Spokane Valley is better prepared for future emergencies.