Renfrew & District County Health Unit
Areas of priority are flood safety, safe shelter and safe drinking water. The health unit has helped to erect multiple wellness centres throughout the flooded areas. They’re offering free well water testing bottles but are asking residents to wait until the water has begun to recede before testing.
Major areas of concern are the hazardous materials and outbound disease in the water and people are asked to take precautions. Use hand sanitizer and keep mold in mind for the recovery phase. They also remind us to be careful of the food we are eating and to check with the list available on their website concerning recalled items.
The health unit will continue to provide public consult meetings. You can reach the health unit on public messaging forums using the handle, @rcdhealthunit. More information is online: www.rcdhu.com or call 613-735-8654 x.555.
Disaster Assistance
Stephen Sellers, Senior Municipal Financial Advisor, spoke about Disaster Assistance at the town hall meeting on Saturday in Renfrew.
The program is available for those whose primary residences are impacted, not seasonal dwellings. It covers eligible structures and is not a substitute for insurance.
You’re able to get a quote even if you’re unable to leave your home and it is very unlikely someone will be coming to visit you at home.
Mr. Sellers encourages homeowners to save invoices so you’re able to be reimbursed for what you spent and encourages homeowners to begin their applications before the deadline of August 27, 2019. Even if your application is incomplete, you’re able to submit invoices to get advances on your claim. A third party adjustment firm is used.
Visit www.ontario.ca/disasterassistance or call 1-800-267-9438 x.128 for more information.
Emergency Management Ontario
Don’t be afraid to call if you need help dealing with stress. Take the time to look after yourself. Remind yourself, children and young people are looking to you as an example. Demonstrate a balance between helping and healing.
One of the services offered by Emergency Management Ontario is aid in finding resources to help you. Visit their website for more information.
Renfrew County Paramedics
Since the State of Emergency was declared, the county has been shifting around resources. There have been notions of a peak, however they are struggling with the quality of information.
Renfrew County Paramedic Chief Mike Nolan encourages you to keep up-to-date with Municipal 511’s website, where you can see the open and closed roads at any given time.
According to their activity tracker, over one million sandbags have been given out and most residents have found temporary accommodation, if required. They will continue to deliver water and provide support for those in need because Chief Nolan stated many residents have preferred to stay home and man their pumps.
This has required a change in response from the county paramedics due to the increase in sickness from working in the subzero water temperatures.
