Emergency manager stresses preparedness

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2021 (1852 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It has been a week since the fire at 1400 Pacific Ave. displaced more than 100 people in the blink of an eye.

The fire at Valley View Condominiums was estimated to have caused $11 million in damage.

What would you do if it was you? What would you take if a disaster was licking at your heels?

The emergency manager for the City of Brandon, Tobin Praznik, said everyone should be prepared to be away from their homes for at least 72 hours in the event of a disaster.

“Our emergency preparedness messaging focuses on knowing the hazards. (For residents), develop and maintain a family emergency plan and make or update your emergency supplies kit,” he said.

Praznik said when preparing or updating an emergency supplies kit, the supplies should allow you and your family, including pets, to be self-sustained for at least three days.

“It is important to have an emergency supplies kit for both your home and in your vehicle when travelling,” he added

The Emergency Preparedness Program for the City of Brandon is made up of two distinct parts: emergency response and public preparedness information. Both parts include government, business and citizens in response and preparedness activities, the City of Brandon’s website said.

“The current version of the Brandon Emergency Plan has been used as a model for other small cities in Manitoba,” the site says.

The program outlines the requirements that are integrated with the community as it works toward improving emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. This requires a co-ordinated community approach to public information, response training and early warning.

The Brandon Emergency Support Team (BEST) is a partnership between business, industry and the city to provide effective community education so the general public knows what to do in an emergency.

The goal of the team, which was created in 1999, is to increase emergency preparedness in Brandon and the surrounding area.

Praznik said Brandon has experienced a number of significant flood events in recent years, such as 2011, 2014 and 2017.

“It tested our preparedness, response and resiliency as a community. In 2014, our city’s flood protection was strengthened and improved for the safety of all residents and properties with permanent infrastructure.”

“Our resilience was demonstrated again last year in 2020 with a late June and early July heavy rain event where we received approximately 183.7 millimetres of rain over a three-day period. The region was greatly impacted by this heavy rain event and the province raised concerns with the Rivers Dam,” he said.

An emergency alerting system on the city’s website (brandon.ca/emergency-preparedness/emergency-alerting-program/emergency-alerting-program) allows the city to actually alert residents to emergency situations. The Brandon Emergency Alerting Program (BEAP) has two separate tones, which mean different things.

The city plans to install two-speaker stations in the city on 55-foot poles. Each pole will be equipped with eight-speaker cones at the top and a metal utility box at the bottom that contains equipment. Once the poles and equipment are installed, the city will test them on a weekly basis, the website said.

The city emergency preparedness website recommends going inside if you hear the alerting tone and turn on your radio or TV to a local station. Those stations are CKLQ 880 AM, Star 94.7 FM, KX 96.1 FM and 101.1 FM The Farm.

“Wait until the broadcast provides an update on the situation. Depending on the time of day, this message may be immediately available or during the night, may be several minutes before a radio message is ready to be broadcast,” the website said.

Praznik recommends that residents continue to understand the community risks.

“Monitor closely for special weather statements, understand the difference between weather warnings versus weather watches,” he said.

He also recommended understanding the impacts and hazards of weather or hazardous materials released. He gave examples of overland flooding or loss of utilities.

“Develop a family emergency plan. Know the steps to shelter. Know where to get information if our city’s alerting system is activated. Determine alternate housing locations if you are required to evacuate.

“Make and maintain an emergency supplies kit,” he said.

The kit should include:

• Food (canned, granola bars, peanut butter)

• Personal items (ID/personal records, hygiene kit, spare clothes, medications)

• Emergency equipment (flashlights, batteries, cellphone, whistle, candles/lighter)

• Water (approximately two litres of water per person per day)

A complete list of an emergency preparedness kit is available online at brandon.ca/emergency-preparedness/personal-and-family-preparedness/emergency-supply-kits.

Praznik has been the emergency manager for the city since September 2020. He was a program manager with the Office of the Fire Commissioner for 16 years.

“I was extremely fortunate to inherit an excellent emergency preparedness program from Brian Kayes, who was with the city for 25 years before he retired last year.

“Emergency Preparedness begins with educating the community about our risks and what to do in an emergency,” he said.

For more information on emergency preparedness, see brandon.ca/emerg.

An Emergency Quick Reference Guide is available at city hall. It can also be viewed on the city’s website.

» kkielley@brandonsun.com