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Putting ‘state of emergency’ in context

| April 9, 2020 1:00 AM

The phrase “state of emergency” naturally incites alarm and concern. In our neck of the woods, we’re used to hearing those words in relation to natural disasters — floods, blizzards or wildfires.

Recently, however, government agencies from the highest level down to local municipalities have taken steps to declare a state of emergency in reaction to the coronavirus. President Trump declared the pandemic a national emergency on March 13, and a day earlier Gov. Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency in Montana. Flathead County commissioners made a similar declaration the same week, along with many municipalities across the state.

Kalispell City Council voted to declare a state of emergency on Monday — a move that spurred push-back from some residents who were concerned about government overreach. While it’s encouraging to see residents paying attention and getting involved with local government, Kalispell City Council’s nearly unanimous vote to declare a state of emergency shouldn’t be made out to be something it’s not.

Simply put, declaring a state of emergency allows Kalispell to tap into federal funding to be reimbursed for any costs in relation to the virus — just like the state or county government would do during a bad fire season.

For example, the city’s recent need for more sanitation equipment and services would fall under this reimbursement guideline. City Manager Doug Russell also notes that, should the need arise, the funding would cover the cost of additional response measures or personnel needs in any city department — from public works, to fire and police. It’s easy to imagine a scenario where those costs pile up far beyond the city’s financial standing, should the virus continue to spread in the valley and overwhelm emergency services.

The declaration also allows the city to enact disaster plans (that’s good) and make adjustments to public meetings, if necessary.

To be clear, a state of emergency doesn’t mean impending “martial law.”

“It’s important to identify that day-to-day activities aren’t going to change,” Russell pointed out. “No one should notice anything different.”

“This isn’t just a carte blanche handover of power to our city manager,” Mayor Mark Johnson said at the council meeting.

“Funding is the primary reason,” Russell added.

On that point alone, Kalispell City Council was right to declare a state of emergency. Planning ahead and looking out for the city’s financial interests is quite simply the sensible thing to do — for the city and its citizens.