An Emergency Social Services (ESS) training session led by Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) staff and Todd Pawsey, director of community services for the County of Paintearth was held Oct. 10 at the Castor Community Hall.
The session, aimed at participating municipalities, was designed to improve preparedness for emergencies.
The session was well attended with participation from representatives of Kneehill County, Flagstaff County, Paintearth County, Stettler County, the Town of Castor, Paintearth Lodge, the Castor Recreation Department, the Village of Hughenden, the Town of Coronation and the Village of Delia.
Sandi Misselbook of AEMA led the training, discussing how the agency coordinates organizations involved in disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery under the Emergency Management Act.
Attendees shared experiences from past emergencies, including mass food poisonings, snowstorms that stranded drivers and train collisions that posed serious risks. These incidents highlighted the importance of community preparedness.
While first responders tackle immediate hazards, ESS focuses on the human impact of an emergency.
Misselbook noted that ESS training is crucial in developing the skills needed to ‘help people suffer less” during a crisis.
An ESS facility, designated for emergency situations, provides essential services to individuals and families.
Planning these facilities in advance is key, with careful consideration of factors like community population, vulnerable groups and available resources to ensure they meet the needs of those affected.
Misselbook recommended a community conduct a “walk-around” to identify potential facilities such as community halls, arenas and hotels.
During this assessment communities should consider what each site offers and how it could be utilized in an emergency. “Who’s got what resources?” Misselbook commented.
Various types of ESS facilities must be considered depending on the scale of the emergency, the number of evacuees and how long they need support. Key factors include accessibility, backup power, food and water logistics, available beds and companion animal care. “People will not evacuate without their pets,” noted Misselbook.
Registration centres collect personal information from evacuees to facilitate the provision of emergency social services, while reception centres offer services like emergency shelter, food and family reunification.
Reception centres must also plan for ongoing needs, such as childminding and animal care. Congregate lodging facilities, such as arenas with cots, provide communal shelter and care for those displaced during an emergency.
Preparation ahead of an emergency may involve the identification of facility requirements, recruitment, screening and training of key personnel and establishing partnerships with local businesses.
Having a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with surrounding communities is also a key piece to planning.
“Who are you going to partner with?” Misselbook asked.
AEMA recommends communities regularly review their emergency plans and conduct practice drills every three years to maintain readiness.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review
