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Halton adapts response plan in wake of ice storm by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Thursday, June 19, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton Region is putting the lessons it learned in last December's ice storm to good use. Council voted yesterday (Wednesday) to alter the Halton Community Emergency Response Plan (HCERP) to incorporate some valuable lessons learned during December's ice storm. The ice storm deprived many homes of power for days, forced some residents to evacuation centres and made certain roads impassible as work crews struggled to clear fallen branches. Several of the recommended changes to the plan, which is designed to provide key officials, agencies and departments with an overview of their responsibilities during an emergency, include giving the Regional chair the ability to appoint an appropriate member of council to attend the Emergency Operations Centre and perform the duties of the regional chair in circumstances where the chair is unavailable. In a report to council, Director of Legal Services Bob Gray said the ice storm illustrated it may prove difficult and/or unsafe to travel from some parts of the region in order to get to the Regional Emergency Operations Centre. The report also determined having pre-established evacuation facilities for residents -- who have been forced to leave their homes -- would improve the ability to have these centres ready on short notice. Gray noted Regional staff is consulting with Halton's municipalities to identify one facility in each area as a possible evacuation centre. They will also determine what improvements may be necessary for each (for instance, generators), and establish an implementation program. Once these facilities have been identified, staffers plan to report details of the implementation program to council and then let residents know which facilities will serve as evacuation centres. With Halton's rural communities experienc- Clean up from the December 2013 ice storm took months and, in some cases, is still ongoing in Oakville parks and trails. | Oakville Beaver file photo ing prolonged power outages as a result of the ice storm, the Region has created additional educational materials to help rural residents deal with the unique challenges they face during such emergencies. The material, which is available on the Region's website, www.halton.ca, includes information on caring for livestock during a power outage, staying informed about the developing situation, and stockpiling essential supplies prior to an emergency. Halton Region staff is preparing educational materials and conducting workshops for the property owners of multi-unit residential buildings, which may also face specific challenges during a prolonged power outage. They are also looking at new ways to get information to residents during an emergency. The dissemination of information could involve regular postings at municipal facilities, dedicated radio reporting and enhanced media relations. GRAND OPENING! · Enter to Win FREE Dance Lessons this Summer! · Meet Special Musical guests Paige Cora and North American Latin Champions, Danik & Maria · Our Art Gallery Wall will debut Where Art, Music and Dance Come Together Join Us Saturday June 21, 8pm Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate plus more www.comedancing.ca · 905.339.3373 · 609 Ford Dr. ( S. E. corner at Royal Windsor ) (905) 827-8158 · www.rogerslandscaping.org 200 200,000 P PLAYERS L AYERS Local physicians are conducting a research study of an investigational medication that may reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). You may qualify to participate if you: Frequent and/or urgent urination Not feeling empty after urination Weak or interrupted urine stream BRODY AGE 6 TIMBITS SOCCER O ONE NE R REALLY EALLY FUN GAME If you qualify for participation, all study-related care will be provided at no cost and insurance is not needed. To learn more about The PLUS 1 Study, please call: With Timbits Soccer, the first goal really is having fun. And with over 200,000 kids playing Timbits Soccer, that's a whole lot of smiling faces. Tim Hortons is proud to support each and every one of these kids, along with your local Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners who are excited to be a part of this by supporting over 1,500 Timbits Soccer players in Oakville. 1-855-70-MYBPH © Tim Hortons, 2013 THE FIRST GOAL IS HAVING FUN ®