Flooding debrief

Times Contributor

 

Wheatland County Protective Services Manager Gerald Skibinsky and WFCSS Manager Lynn Walker met in council, to debrief council on their department actions during the flooding. 

On June 20-22, Skibinsky coordinated with the RCMP and Carseland Fire Department for bridge closures and sent out peace officers to confirm barricades were in place. He contacted Siksika Emergency Coordinator Tom Little Child and asked about need for cots and blankets. Gleichen Fire Chief Mike Burne had begun to set up a response unit in the Gleichen arena. He said the Town of Strathmore had offered their mobile trailer, with cots, and blankets that could be sent to the centre if needed. Skibinsky and Wheatland County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Alan Parkin toured areas along the river, and checked the Carseland pump site, the reception centre in Gleichen and areas flooded on the reserve under consent of the Siksika emergency co-ordinator. Costs for damage to the Carseland facility and pumps are being estimated and will be sent to the province. 

“Our only concern through the process was with Alberta Environment,” said Skibinsky.

He said that the call about imminent flooding could have been better, but he had since discussed the procedures with them. Going forward, better notifications will be given to Wheatland County. Notifications will be sent to Wheatland County and Calgary emergency co-ordinators at the same time.

Skibinsky said that he asked WFCSS to help the county with flood issues if necessary. 

Walker reported on WFCSS’s response. She said Siksika had notified them of the need for clean drinking water. She coordinated efforts with the County Food Bank to make up personal kits containing food, water and personal hygiene items. Over the course of the few days, needs at the Gleichen arena dissipated. On June 28, Global Training delivered two truckloads of clothing and household items to Siksika relief centre; however, they were turned away as needs had been met. Walker said WFCSS was on standby, in case any need arises in the recovery process.

“Whenever they need us, we will be there wherever we can,” said Walker.

Work alone policy introduced

Marty Bozak, Health and Safety officer brought forward the Working Alone Policy to Council on July 16. 

“The purpose of the policy is to ensure workers work safely and to encourage employers contracted to the County to use safe measures when workers are working alone. We have a responsibility to ensure this happens,” said Bozak, about the policy.

The policy had a series of checks and balances and associated recording forms that Bozak felt would improve safety in isolated working situations. Adherence to the policy would minimize risks, identify hazards, make communications procedures clear, and educate all staff working for the County and those working under companies contracted by the County. It integrates an assessment of risks on a low to high rating scale, which would be accompanied by associated procedural plans. These included a series of check-in times through radio or cell phone communication and supervisory or nearest staff member safety checks on unanswered calls. Supervisors would be responsible for paperwork and staff adherence to the policies.

Bozak said the policy meets all legislated safety guidelines and shouldn’t affect staff numbers, or work hours. Some councillors questioned staff perception of the program and if some roles would find the recording too much. 

“Some of the forms may be overkill in some situations, but it fits for others and protects all the staff,” said Bozak.

Peace Officer stats for June

Peace Officer Ben Mendoza gave a summary of activity that engaged officers in June. They covered 101 traffic offences, attended to one call for disaster assistance, two RCMP assistance, one rollover assist, one Alberta Health Services report, assisted with Alberta Transportation cleanup, five unsightly residence calls, 12 animal control calls, six environmental calls and six general reporting duties. In total, they needed to put in 49 hours of overtime.

Mendoza reported someone was using public road allowances for dumping grounds again and it was a hefty cleanup job. There were no clues that directed officers to those responsible. 

The County Public Works compound had a theft of 3,600 litres of fuel. 

“Video was taken, but those involved were not easily identified,” said Mendoza. 

He clarified that the new cameras were working well, and vehicle details picked up by the video helped RCMP catch two individuals, which resulted in charges laid. He said the individuals had disguised the license plates and themselves. Reinforcement had been done on the fence line, to address the problem in the future.

Peace Officer Memorial Day

Council approved a request for Skibinsky and another staff member to participate in memorial events and training sessions held on Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Edmonton.

“We have not had any representation in the past few years and I feel it is important,” said Skibinsky.

He said one of the training presentations was a session on dealing with difficult people and methods of de-escalation in potentially violent confrontations.