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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-12-15, Page 14Page 14 12/14/04 9:33 AM Page 1 T�.tis_,�nrx,A,�. Crossroads 14 Wednesday,December 15, 2004 Exeter Times Advocate South Huron readies itself for emergencies By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Would you know what to do if a tornado ripped through Exeter, leaving fatalities and disaster in its wake? As mandated by the province, munici- palities across Ontario are required to not only have plans to react to such emergencies, but must put those plans into practice. Such a practice was held at Exeter's Olde Town Hall Dec. 8, where local emergency personnel, municipal staff and members of council participated in "Whirl Wind," a tabletop emergency practice. South Huron fire chief John Morgan has been appointed the municipality's Community Emergency Management Co-ordinator. His alternates include South Huron staffers Tom Seip and Dave Atthill. All three have taken training for their positions. The scenario Once the group had gathered together in the town hall, Seip explained what emergency they would be dealing with. The practice was held in real time, but was set during Aug. 20, starting at 6:07 a.m., when Environment Canada announces a tornado watch for Lambton, Middlesex and Huron coun- ties. Within a couple of hours disaster strikes the South Huron area — a tor- nado touches down in Crediton, destroy- ing and damaging several homes. A few minutes later, a tornado destroys Vincent Farm Machinery at the south end of Exeter, spreading debris and blocking Highway 4. Several trailers in Norwood Village are also destroyed. The most serious damage occurs at Exeter Villa, where a tornado lifts the roof off the nursing home, collapsing the east wing. Several homes on Pryde and Sanders were also damaged. Hydro over most of Exeter and Stephen has been knocked out, and lawns and roads are littered with downed hydro poles and trees. Also, some residents are trapped in their homes and in Exeter Villa. With this information, South Huron's Emergency Operations Control Group meets in the town hall to deal with the area's disaster. Local fire departments, the police, ambulance and road departments were immediately on the scene. During the practice, calls came into the municipal office, which staff would re -direct to the emergency control group. The group, chaired by South Huron Mayor Rob Morley, then had to make decisions based on the information they received. Emergency declared One of the control group's first orders of business was to officially declare an emergency for South Huron. Morley then went around the table, seeking comments from various person- nel. Exeter fire department district chief Cam McLeod said his station needed outside help from other stations, a con- cern echoed by Huron OPP Sgt. Brad Sadler and Huron County Emergency Medical Services operations manager Brad Lucas. South Huron operations manager Dennis Hockey said the municipality would need contractors with equipment to help clear local roads for emergency crews. He said he would also seek help from neighbouring municipalities. One of Hockey's main concerns was the condition of the town's water supply system and ensuring hydro lines were safe. Michele Gaynor of Huron County Social Services was also part of the group, ensuring organizations like the Red Cross and the Huron County Health Unit responded to the emergency. Local fire departments also had to deal with fires throughout the municipality. Also, the situation at Exeter Villa had to be dealt with. Once the municipality reacted to the emergencies, press releases were sent out to let the public know South Huron was responding. OPP officers also had other challenges to deal with — 50 picketers began protesting against the World Trade Organization and police cruisers suf- fered tire damage due to debris on the roads. After dealing with the tornado emer- gency for a couple of hours, South Huron's emergency control group was then instructed to discuss what would happen if an emergency occurred dur- ing -20 C temperatures in February. Obviously, heat was the main concern, and McLeod said the fire department would need to get generators and tarps set up around the Exeter Villa to make sure the trapped residents were kept warm. McLeod added that during a winter emergency, such as an ice storm, it would be more likely that surrounding municipalities would also be affected, making it more difficult for South Huron emergency crews to get outside help. Another issue in the winter would be the fact the schools would be full of stu- dents. Morley said the municipality would need input from the school boards on what to do in such emergen- cies. Lucas said ambulance personnel would be concerned with hypothermia during a winter emergency. Plus, dri- ving would be slower for ambulances. Evaluation Once the practice was over, those involved met for a discussion period. Most stressed good communication as paramount during an emergency. Atthill said at one point during the exercise one of the walkie talkies failed. Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin said he thought the exercise went well, although he said there may have been too much micro -managing. "I think these things are excellent," he said. Sadler also had positive things to say about the practice and added the police, fire departments and ambulance ser- vices are used to working with each other often. He echoed previous remarks that communication is impor- tant and said the municipality needs to make sure the public is informed during an emergency. South Huron chief administrative offi- cer Larry Brown said South Huron's emergency plan needs more information on what resources and equipment are available to the municipality during an emergency. Evaluator Steve Cooke of Central Huron said the group should have been consulting its emergency plan more often during the exercise, but added, "I was quite impressed." Another evaluator, Johanna Pickering of Bluewater, said Morley did an excel- lent job. "You took charge," she said. What's next? South Huron is finishing off Phase 1 (the Essential Level) of Emergency Management Ontario's program and will be moving into Phase 2 by the end of next year. Within a couple of years, the munici- pality will move into the Comprehensive Level of the program, which Morgan said will move South Huron into "the highest degree of being prepared for an emergency." And although South Huron's emer- gency plan is now generic, dealing with emergencies on a broad level, it will eventually become specific on what exactly to do during different types of emergencies. While tabletop exercises like the one held last week will have to be held every year, in 2006 the municipality will have to do an in -the -field mock disaster, which will probably occur on a weekend and take up most of the day. As for Morgan and his alternates, Seip and Atthill, they began their roles as emergency management co-ordinators by taking a five day course. As the municipality moves up in levels, the three will have to take further train- ing. Exeter Public School held its annual Christmas concert last week, with junior grades performing "Crazy Carols." Above from left are Jillian Clarke, Cassie Parsons and Cody Nichols. (photos/Scott Nixon) From left, taking part in Exeter Public School's annual Christmas concert are Denise DeVries, Mitchel Comeau and Gordon Strub.