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LOCAL
DISASTER PLANNING
The
Eastern Shore area from Preston to Ship Harbour
has established a local disaster planning
committee (ESLDPC) to prepare our communities for
its next catastrophic event. In the past year, we
have experienced 3 significant weather related
events: the heavy rains and flooding of March
31/03; Hurricane Juan on Sept. 29/03; and the snow
blizzard of Feb19/04.
Response
to any situation is dependant on the cooperation
and participation of the community at large.
Planning early for a disaster will certainly go a
long way to mitigate any personal or property
damage as well as help protect against any loss of
life. Your cooperation and participation is vital
to the success of any future response. The mission
statement of the ESLDPC is to promote awareness of
local community resources, to train local agencies
to work together and provide structure for a
coordinated local emergency response in times of
crisis.
Hurricane
season officially starts on June 1st,
and weather experts are predicting that this 2004
season ought to be an above average year for
tropical storms. We have to prepare ourselves for
the possibility of another traumatic event. Never
again should we ever under-estimate the severity
of a hurricane strike or any of Mother Nature’s
other furies. With the aftermath and clean-up of
Hurricane Juan still present with us today, we are
not only faced with this ever-impending danger but
right now we must assess the risks of a possible
wildfire. With all the fuel in the woods for a
number of years to come, it would be prudent for
all of us to do what we can to protect ourselves
and our homes.
The
ESLDPC has held a few meetings to discuss
evacuation procedures in the event of a major
forest fire. HRM Fire Departments will need
trained community personnel to aid with any
emergency contingency plans. There are many
residential roads in District 3 that have limited
access and egress routes for one to escape safely.
In the event of such an occurrence of having your
roadway exit cut off due to a fire, it would be
wise to identify a quick and readily accessible
route to some large watercourse such as a lake or
harbour. Evacuation of any people cut off by a
fire could be done by boat if they are in
proximity to a major watercourse such as Lake
Echo, Porter’s Lake, Lawrencetown Lake, Sole’s
Lake, and Chezzetcook Inlet. To that end, local
boaters and their respective Associations have
been asked to help identify whether they would be
able to assist in any such emergency. HRM Fire
Services, RCMP and Auxiliary Coast Guard
watercraft could be available as well, but those
resources are limited and ease of access to them
could be problematic.
ESLDPC
have identified some gaps in timely information
critical to the protection of our communities.
Specifically, an up-to-date database of area
resources and contact lists are essential to any
coordination effort in response to any disastrous
event. An inventory of current community-based
assets and equipment is being compiled.
Furthermore, residents with special First Aid
training - that are willing to assist in an
emergency will be asked to identify themselves and
indicate their qualifications. Other skill sets
being sought after, but not limited to, are;
Heavy-Equipment operators, certified Chain Saw
operators, HAM Radio operators, and other persons
with versatile assets such as portable generators,
4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, snow-blowers,
snow-plows, snowmobiles, jet-skiis, and boats that
could be used to provide immeasurable assistance
in an emergency situation by warning residents of
a potential evacuation, evacuating isolated
persons, and/or delivering emergency equipment and
supplies. Those willing to volunteer their
services in that regard will be most welcomed.
Should there be any residents with special needs
(requiring special medical equipment or
medication; transportation; etc) they too should
be identified now so that they could be assisted
early in any emergency situation.
The
Canadian Red Cross is actively attempting to
establish a local ability to provide initial
assistance throughout the Province. To that end,
they will provide training to volunteers to be
Personal Disaster Assistants (PDA’s). These
volunteers would provide assistance not only
during major disasters but also on an individual
basis should a family be forced out of their homes
for various reasons (flood, fire etc). These
volunteers would be available locally to provide
assistance in obtaining shelter, or helping out in
any local community comfort centre. There are many
web-sites with great information that anyone can
read and prepare one’s self for such a disaster.
I urge you please to do so!
Emergency
Preparedness Week - www.emergencypreparednessweek.ca
NS Emergency Measures Organization - www.gov.ns.ca/emo
NS DNR -FireSmart- www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/firesmart.htm
Public Safety & Emergency
Preparedness Canada - www.ocipep.gc.ca
and Firewise - www.firewise.org |
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