How Spokane plans to expand its emergency response with a proposed $192 million dollar levy

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Inland Northwest has its fair share of intense weather, catastrophic wildfires, and frigid winter temperatures.

Mayor Lisa Brown's office said it's working on ways to keep people safe from all of the elements, with a proposed $192 million dollar levy.

One-third of this levy will go towards "community resilience."

This includes new developments for the city like neighborhood resource officers, expanding the office of emergency management, and community resiliency hubs.

"[Resiliency hubs are] places where people can go when we have heat, when we have smoke, they can escape those," said Erin Hut, director of communications for the City of Spokane.

City officials said there would be three hubs: one in each council district.

Hut said adding these hubs is one way the city wants to expand its emergency response. The levy would also expand the city's emergency management department, which currently consists of one person.

"It is kind of the national standard that you have at least a minimum of two people," said Hut.

Even though city officials said expanding emergency response is a need, Spokane voters still need to approve this large levy.

The Mayor's office is still working on the proposal and it still needs city council approval to get onto the August ballot.

RELATED: Spokane mayor proposes $192 million public safety levy

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