Town hosts emergency preparedness session

By Rob Vogt

A lot can happen when an emergency strikes, so it is best to be prepared in advance.
The Town of Claresholm held an information session on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Claresholm Social Centre to help people do just that – be prepared for an emergency.
Close to 20 people turned out to hear Jason Hemmaway, the town’s director of emergency management, give a presentation prepared by the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.
Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the individual to the area or municipality, he began.
Hemmaway explained this presentation uses a scenario, focusing on a particular family in Claresholm.
He introduced everyone to the fictitious Blue family. Bob and Brianna Blue are both in their forties, with children Bennett, 14, and Bea, 8, who attend the local schools. Brianna’s mom, Grandma Betty, lives across town in a care home, and they have a dog named Bluebell.
On a typical week day the kids are at school, Brianna is at work in the local library, Bob is at work in Fort Macleod, Grandma Betty is in her care home across town, and Bluebell is home.
Suddenly at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, an emergency alert is issued, as nearby phones begin to beep and buzz. A morning lightning storm has ignited a grassland fire near town. It grew quickly, unnoticed through the morning and consumed much of the crop close to town before detection.
The Blues have been ordered to evacuate, so Hemmaway asked everyone to put themselves in the Blues’ shoes. What might be experienced or felt? What should they have prepared for to help manage feelings such as anxiety or panic?
Hemmaway described what happens after the alert sounds and an evacuation order is issued.
Everyone begins to move simultaneously. Traffic will back up and congest roads. Phone and Internet networks may be overloaded, making local communication extremely difficult. Essential utilities such as power or heat may be damaged or turned off to reduce risk. Local fuel stations might also be closed due to lack of fuel or to minimize risk.
Every member of the Blue family will have a different reaction. John wants to know what’s going on, while the kids are trying to figure what to do and can’t get hold of their parents. Brianna is wondering what she is supposed to do, and Grandma Betty is wondering if anyone will find her when her care home evacuates.
Hemmaway emphasized concern, fear and anxiety are normal.
He listed preparedness behaviours such as knowing the risks; starting a conversation; staying informed; making a plan; knowing loved ones’ plans; making community connections; checking insurance; setting aside an emergency fund; gathering supplies; building a kit; and home mitigation.
Once the Blues identified the risk, they discussed their plan at the start of the school year, knowing Bob would often be out of town during the week and Brianna, who works full time, would be responsible for any library patrons before she could leave herself.
They understood the hazards in their area, recognized their own risks, and planned for both evacuation and sheltering in place. They also considered their concerns for Grandma Betty and Bluebell, knowing Brianna wouldn’t be able to be everywhere. They prioritized and planned for evacuations first.
Hemmaway then looked at who can help the Blues and who might they need to help.
What people or resources can be leveraged in their circle to help in an emergency, and who would they need to care for in an emergency. What if all loved ones are similarily affected at the same time?
This means starting a conversation.
The Blues knew they couldn’t do it alone so they talked to people in their circle to better understand how they could support each other, both in daily life and during an emergency.
What should they pay attention to in an emergency?
Hemmaway said it is important to get and stay informed.
The Blues researched local hazards to prepare to either shelter in place or evacuate.
Understanding emergencies exist on a spectrum, they recognized the need to be ready for all situations. They also downloaded the Alberta Emergency Alert app; 511 Alberta; and WeatherCan.
The Blues then made a plan, and explained it to their children. They established multiple meeting points at friends’ and extended family’s homes in Lethbridge and Calgary, depending on the affected area. They created wallet cards with important numbers and addresses for each family member.
They also contacted the manager at Grandma Betty’s care home, so everyone knew what to expect in an emergency. They shared their meeting points with Grandma Betty and discussed potential pick-up options and timeframes.
Community connections were also established.
The Blues spoke with a friend from the dog park and a neighbour who watches Bluebell when they are on vacation, so they planned for emergencies. Once agreements were in place, they shared details with everyone involved to ensure it was actionable.
Hemmaway then looked at any other steps to be taken once a plan is in place.
The Blues review their home insurance every year to ensure it reflects their belongings and hazards, and put copies of their insurance and contents in their emergency kit.
They built a small emergency fund both can access, to cover a few days at a hotel, new clothes, and meals at a restaurant. They also put some cash in a locked desk drawer and in their emergency kit, in case cards may not work.
When building a kit to evacuate, the Blues included copies of important documents and contact information on paper and backed up in the Cloud; external batteries for recharging; extra medication for Grandma Betty; radios, flashlight and cash; water for four people, non-perishable foods and food for Bluebell; and a first aid kit.
They also gathered enough supplies to last a minimum of seven to 14 days if they have to shelter in place, and cannot leave home.
One further step is home mitigation.
The Blues understand regular home maintenance can help reduce the impacts of local hazard damage. This year they cleared debris from tree pruning, and had their dryer ducts cleaned.
Hemmaway concluded by describing the foundations of emergency preparedness:
• Preparedness is personal – it starts with you.
• It includes all the important in your life, so talk it over and put a plan in place.
• Think ahead, plan for both sheltering in place and evacuating.
• Take action, ensure you can execute your plan when needed.
• Make it an everyday habit, not just for major disasters.
• Being unprepared is costlier, preparedness doesn’t have to be expensive.
• Start early, start today – the best time to prepare is now.