The Town of Stellarton is working to create a plan and protocol for emergencies, and has established that the fire hall can be used for temporary refuge in the event of a short-term emergency.
This discussion of a place of refuge during emergencies was sparked by Coun. Simon Lawand, who brought the matter up at Monday’s regular meeting. Lawand said that during the power outage last week, he had a troubling experience when a resident called him in a state of distress, worrying about the safety and health of a young child.
The phone cut out during this conversation, and the experience compelled Lawand to seek a more thorough response for short-term situations where emergency organization services aren’t involved.
In the event of longer-term events, Emergency Measures Organizations (EMO) protocols are in place for the regions of Nova Scotia, while for shorter-term – like last week’s power outage that left 31,000 people in Pictou County without power for several hours – the protocol was less certain on a local level.
In the forming of an emergency plan, John Davison, Regional Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) co-ordinator for the Pictou County Region, described the protocol.
Davison outlined the absolute necessities in the event of an emergency. These include leadership and co-ordination; knowledge of risks; a thorough plan; food and resources; life support systems and planning ahead. Davison made recommendations for safety, recommending not to use camp equipment indoors; finding emergency heat sources, and once again emphasizing caution, and the need for a solid plan of action.
It was made clear to council, after listening to the protocol for longer-term emergencies, that a clearer plan of action ought to be in place for a short-term emergencies, such as power outages.
Lawand recommended that town staff work on a contingency plan, so that it will be better prepared for short-term emergencies.
Fire Chief Dwight Campbell also spoke, saying that the fire hall could be used as a temporary refuge in a short-term situation.
“I can tell you right now, we’re set up for any disaster, within 72 hours of anything happening, I have all contacts for food from Sobeys and different stores, whatever I need, it’s available,” said Campbell, noting how he can get a hold of food and resources. “If someone called, and wanted to be taken to the hall, that wouldn’t be a problem. I can go down and take them to the hall until the power goes back on. That wouldn’t be a problem.”
“For shorter power outages, we have decided to contact the fire department, which will make sure there is a warm place to go in those situations,” said Mayor Danny MacGillivray in a call with The News, describing the decision made by council.
