Lakeshore Advance, 2013-02-20, Page 19Early weather warnings, key topic
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■ 8 -- Review and update Operating
Practice 01'517 to include changes
in the procedures since the tor-
nado with a focus on the automatic
shutdown of the ship loading
booth and operator evacuation.
• 9 - Ensure that ship -loading boom
operators are re-trained on the
new procedures and equipment
for the ship -loading boom.
PligContinue ongoing training
. garding emergency
preparedness.
• 11- Review the emergency prepar-
edness plan with respect to the
need for radio replacement batter-
ies at rally points.
'limn of Goderich, County of
Iluron and EMO:
• 12 - Engage in ongoing public sec-
tor education and private sector
communication regarding
emergency preparedness focused
on, but not limited to, the value of
weather radios.
lbwn of Goderich:
Consider the implementation of a
siren system for public alerting in
emergencies.
Ministry of Labour:
■ 14 - Explore and consider the
requirement of weather radios
within workplaces with equipment
that may be affected by weather
warnings.
Plenty of discussion
Much of the discussion on day two
oldie inquest revolved around emer-
gency warnings for communities,
where it was learned only about 42
per cent of all properties are con-
nected to 1-luron County's PRISM 911
warning system.
Registration for the PRISM system
is voluntary, meaning anyone who
did not subscribe to the service will
not receive notification. Emergency
Services worker Jan Sertseima noted
in his testimony that at the time of the
tornado, PRISM had 16 phone lines.
With an average of one minute per
call, the system could only handle
about G(x) calls per hour.
In Goderich alone, there are
upwards of 3,300 residential units.
'Ihe jury seamed it would take several
days to contact all of thein.
llowever, the PRISM system was
not used to notify the public about
the tornado. At that time, approval
from an agency such as Environment
Canada or the municipality was
needed in order to get the notice out.
The PRISM system was, however,
used by the OPP to provide updates
regarding the restricted downtown
core in the days following the
tontado.
Meanwhile, the effectiveness of
tornado warning sirens was also
called into question, with the issue
still being discussed by 1•luron County
Council.
A grant application to the Joint
Emergency Preparedness Program
was denied, and the issue brought to
county council, which asked for a
report on who currently has sirens
and what should be done regarding
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 19
county -wide sirens. The report has
been accepted by the county but not
voted on.
In Goderich, the I luron County
Courthouse in the centre of the
downtown Square has the capability
to act as siren, however, that is also
part of the report awaiting approval
by the county.
Rick Black, who was head of cargo
maintenance aboard the ship loading
salt at the time of the tornado, said
there was little to no advanced warn-
ing of the storm.
Ile was below deck performing
repairs in the cargo hold most of
the day, and was only just inside his
room when he saw the tornado tear
apart the easterly salt hut and take
down the loading boom and mine
offices.
"1t knocked the boom over in one
smooth motion;" he said.
All told, it lasted about 25
seconds, he said.
The crew had no advanced warn-
ing of the tornado, but mustered
immediately after; as there was per-
sonnel working on the mooring
lines on shore. They were all
accounted for.
The boom at the mine was per-
pendicular to the ship at the time of
the tornado - about 3:52 p.m.
Rick Shulist of the Ministry of
Labour noted the boom wheels
skidded across the loading dock
rather than rolled, implying the
brakes were in working order at the
time of the storm.
• There were no contraventions to
provincial tnining regulations
noted at the time.
When asked if there were any
additions to the Mining Act that
could help in future instances, Shu -
list said no.
"It is one of those weird events
that just happen," he said.
"Legislation wouldn't make a
difference."
The booth met all necessary reg-
ulatory codes at the time of the
storm, according to manufacturer's
drawings. Mine records were
largely irretrievable as the offices
housing thein were severely
damaged.
Tornado drills, he said, are not
mandatory.
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