A flood evacuation drill conducted in Mapleton this spring went well, but revealed some areas where work is needed, council heard at its July 8 meeting.
Linda Dickson, Wellington County’s emergency management co-ordinator, noted the Emergency Management Program Committee decided in March to run an exercise based on a flood scenario in Drayton, including an evacuation component.
“Drayton has been identified as being at a high risk for flooding and with the winter snow accumulations it was agreed that a flood-based exercise should be arranged,” Dickson stated in a written report.
“Given the snow pack conditions and the higher risk of flooding potential this spring, the township’s Emergency Management Program Committee agreed that an exercise to review and update the flood response policies and procedures was necessary and appropriate.”
The exercise was held on March 25 and included an evacuation exercise and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), table-top exercise at the new primary EOC location.
An emergency notification exercise was also conducted at this time.
The objectives of the exercise were:
– conduct an evacuation drill by the Mapleton Fire Department – Drayton Station;
– allow township staff to test emergency notification procedures after hours; and
– test communication between the emergency site and the EOC during the exercise.
Dickson stated the evacuation drill went well.
“Firefighters found the residents to be very receptive and appreciative of the test,” she noted.
Dickson reported that among the lessons learned from the exercise was that with respect to emergency notification for the control group, there were some updates required to the contact information.
There were also some suggestions regarding flood mapping and Dickson said a meeting is to be arranged between the fire department and emergency management staff to discuss ways to improve the mapping. The Grand River Conservation Authority will also be consulted.
Public education
Dickson also advised council the theme for this year’s public education program was “Be Better Prepared for Prolonged Power Outages.”
A number of public education initiatives were undertaken this year using the theme, including:
– making emergency management information available at Wellington County libraries and municipal offices during Emergency Preparedness Week;
– conducting draws for a generator and two weather radios at the county’s 14 library branches, at each of the municipal offices and at special events during Emergency Preparedness Week;
– the county page in the Wellington Advertiser regularly contains emergency-related public information;
– an insert was included in the Wellington Advertiser during Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4 to 10) containing information on how to be prepared for power outages; and
– emergency management staff attended the SafeKids day hosted by the Mapleton Fire Department. Approximately 300 Grade 1 and 4 children attended the event.
