COBDEN — Phillipe Geoffrion with Emergency Management Ontario provided Whitewater Region council with an update on Emergency Management Ontario.
Erica Rice is the township’s emergency manager co-ordinator for the municipality, however, it’s the Mayor who is in charge, he said, adding, there must also be an Emergency Management Committee.
Emergency response plans must be in place in every municipality, Mr. Geoffrion said at last week’s council meeting. This plan would also include what high risks are in this municipality, and what should be done if an emergency were to occur, he said. One of the hazards in this municipality could include explosives being trucked along Highway 17 and through Cobden or a forest fire in the area.
The plan would also include who is in charge, who does what, what the responsibilities are for each person such as fire chief, council members, the control group, etc. There should also be a list of necessary infrastructures, such as hospitals, township garage and municipal office that should be in the emergency plan, he suggested.
The plan should be reviewed by council at least once a year, Mr. Geoffrion said, noting there should also be a mock exercise held each year.
The public should be educated on what they should have in their homes in case of an emergency, such as enough water and food for three to five days. There should also be a way of letting the public know what the hazard is and the risk that is associated with it, Mr. Geoffrion said.
He also explained what would happen if the Mayor, or the appointed person in charge, were to call a State of Emergency, which would mean provincial assistance would be provided.
Councillor Dave Mackay questioned whether Mr. Geoffrion felt the Fort McMurray forest fire and evacuation was handled well.
He responded that a forest fire of that magnitude is difficult to manage. It’s difficult to evacuate a whole community, he said. In 1979 Mississauga was evacuated, which was about one-quarter of a million people.
Fort McMurray was difficult because there is only one way in and one way out, he said. The other challenge is where to put the people, especially 88,000 people, he said.
“They had a major challenge and it was handled well,” Mr. Geoffrion said. “The bigger challenge will be rebuilding the community.”
Slave Lake had a similar incident five years ago, and they are still rebuilding, he noted.
Reeve Terry Millar said, “In regards to Fort McMurray, it’s nothing short of miraculous that they saved all those lives.
“The first reaction is to save lives and they did a heck of a good job.”
Familiar with Fort McMurray, Reeve Millar said it’s difficult geography to deal with, as there are many hills, and there’s only one road north and one road south.
Mayor Hal Johnson said Ms. Rice is doing a great job and the exercises are proving rewarding and educational.
