Paintearth county council heard from Todd Pawsey about a planned emergency training session aimed at preparing municipalities for emergency situations at their regular meetig on Sept. 17..
Pawsey, the County’s director of community services, spoke about preparations for an Emergency Social Services (ESS) exercise set for Oct. 17. In advance of this, a full ESS training session will be held on Oct. 10 and 11, led by Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) staff.
AEMA, under the Emergency Management Act, coordinates the efforts of organizations involved in disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The agency also works to ensure essential public services, such as government functions and first responders, remain operational during a crisis.
The Emergency Management Act provides the legal framework for local and provincial management of emergencies and disasters. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of various government bodies and local authorities, including provisions for granting additional powers during a state of emergency.
“We need to have training on this,” said Pawsey, noting that the exercise would prepare participants to handle evacuees from across east-central Alberta. He also mentioned that other counties and municipalities had been invited to join the training ahead of a regional exercise planned for Nov. 14.
“This will really set us up to succeed,” Pawsey added, explaining that even if the County of Paintearth is not directly affected by an emergency, it may still need to host evacuees from neighbouring municipalities.
In correspondence with the ECA Review, Pawsey referenced a gas leak at Coronation School on Sept. 18, which prompted the Coronation RCMP evacuating staff, students, and nearby residents to the community hall as a precaution.
While this incident was relatively small, Pawsey noted that a larger-scale evacuation would require the Town of Castor to be ready to track, assist and house evacuees for an extended period. This could include managing logistics for people needing medicine, personal care items or accommodations for pets.
East-central Alberta has experienced various disasters including floods and fires. Power outages, severe storms and tornadoes are also potential threats that can disrupt communities.
“That’s what we’re being trained for,” Pawsey said.
Term renewals
The County of Paintearth council renewed the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) and the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) with the M.D. of Provost No. 52 and the IDF with the County of Flagstaff without changes.
The ICF and IDP, required to be reviewed every five years under the Government of Alberta’s 2018 mandate, were originally passed in Bylaw 664-18 (ICF) and Bylaw 663-18 (IDP).
Collaboration (ICF)
In the agreements the councils agreed that the most efficient way to provide services to their residents was to continue to deliver them independently due to population density, demand and land mass.
As required by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) core services must be addressed within the ICF. The core services are transportation, water and wastewater, solid waste, emergency services and recreation or other services that would benefit residents.
Currently, there are no plans for future projects or agreements between the municipalities, aside from a potential renewal or amendment of the Mutual Aid agreement.
Should the need arise the respective counties may enter into an intermunicipal service agreement.
Development (IDP)
The IDP provides a framework for land use decisions affecting the municipalities, promoting environmentally responsible development while minimizing costs and impacts.
It was agreed that a formal review was unnecessary, and all parties were satisfied with the current wording and operation of the agreement.
Council passed motions to renew the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) and the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) with the M.D. of Provost No. 52 and to renew the IDP with the County of Flagstaff No, 18 for an additional five-year term.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michael Simpson also noted that a meeting was held with the CAO’s of the Town of Coronation and the Town of Castor to discuss an ICF agreement with the County of Paintearth.
A draft of the new agreements is expected to be presented to council within the next quarter.
“It’s getting there,” noted Simpson.
Supernet
CAO Simpson held discussions with Alberta Counsel concerning the Brownfield broadband project where he sought potential support.
A meeting followed between Rural Connect Ltd., Alberta Technology and Innovation and the County of Paintearth. The ongoing theme has been a focus on ensuring AXIA FibreNet, a Bell Canada company, delivers on its promise of “cost-effective” collaboration with municipalities.
“We are going to try to hold them to that promise,” Simpson said.
Rural Connect
Simpson informed the council that the first meeting of Rural Connect Ltd. has taken place, with monthly meetings scheduled until December. He noted that, as the County of Paintearth representative, he has been appointed vice-chair for a one-year term, with Red Deer County CAO Curtis Herzberg serving as interim chair.
This arrangement will remain in place until a suitable independent chair, with no ties to shareholders is recruited and appointed. Discussions have also begun with non-member municipalities to explore involvement with the fibre project.
“We are off to the races,” said Simpson.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review
