Municipal Emergency Program

  
  

WHAT IS IT?

• The Emergency Program Act and the Municipal Act provide for an emergency plan to be in place in the event of a major disaster or emergency. This plan is referred to as the Municipal Emergency Program. The Acts outline the administration, powers, duties, and responsibilities pertaining to the Program.
• The Municipal Emergency Program is the collective title for the organization, plans, and procedures established within the municipalities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for combating major emergencies and disasters.

WHO IS IT?

• An Emergency Planning Committee has been established and is chaired by the Emergency Program Coordinator. The Committee is comprised of the Mayor, two Municipal Councillors, the Chief Administrative Officer, a municipal Engineer, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, the Director of Emergency Social Services, a Public Information Officer, a Communications Representative and other members as appointed by the Mayor. An Emergency Program Coordinator is responsible for planning and developing the Program. In addition to the Emergency Planning Committee, representatives from the Municipal Departments and Volunteers Services are involved.
• Meetings of the Emergency Planning Committee are held on a regular basis and an Emergency Program Manual is kept updated and distributed to the appropriate departments within the municipalities.

WHERE IS IT?

• Emergency Operations Centres (E.O.C.’s) have been established for both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. In Maple Ridge the Blaney Room at City Hall, 19955 Haney Place will be the headquarters with an alternative being the Pitt Meadows Fire Hall located at 12007 Harris Road.
• In the event of a major disaster or emergency the Emergency Response Team will meet at the Headquarters. The Emergency Response Team will be advised of the situation by the RCMP, Fire, and Engineering Departments. The Team will then provide overall coordination and direction of operations until such time as the situation is under control.

WHAT’S AN EMERGENCY?

• An emergency is defined as a critical situation that can be dealt with routinely by the appropriate departments i.e. the RCMP or Fire Department.
• A major emergency is defined as a critical situation that requires the commitment of all the emergency response resources of the municipalities. Call out or standby procedures to the Mayor, Emergency Response Team, Municipal staff and Volunteers would be initiated.
• A disaster is a critical situation that has exceeded the emergency response resources of the municipalities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The Municipal Council would be assembled and a Local State of Emergency could be declared.

EARTHQUAKES
While there is little we can do to avoid earthquakes, there is much we can do to prepare for them. Here are a few things you and your family can do Before, During and After an earthquake.

BEFORE

• Get together with the members of your household and put together a disaster plan.

• Assemble disaster supplies and store them in an easy-to-get to location.

• Identify safe spots and danger zones in each room.

• Consider buying earthquake insurance.

• Know how to shut off all utilities.

• Ensure your house is firmly anchored to its foundation.

• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.

• Store breakable items on low shelves or in cabinets that can fasten shut.

• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.

• Fasten shelves to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.

• Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas and inflexible utility connections.

• Securely fasten water heaters and gas appliances.

• Anchor wood burning stoves to the floor.

• Secure stovepipes to the flue exit and securely fasten stovepipe segments together.

DURING

• If indoors -- take cover under sturdy furniture or against an inside wall, and hold on, "Drop, Cover and Hold". Stay away from the kitchen!

• If outdoors -- stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.

• If outdoors near tall buildings -- step inside a doorway, drop down and cover your head and shoulders to protect yourself from falling glass and other debris.

• In a high-rise building -- take cover under sturdy furniture away from windows and outside walls. Stay in the building on the same floor. An evacuation may not be necessary. Wait for instructions from safety personnel. Do not use elevators.

• In a vehicle -- stop as quickly as safety permits, and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires.

AFTER

• Check yourself and other for injuries.

• Prepare for after shocks.

• Wear study shoes to prevent injury.

• Use flashlights or battery powered lanterns if the power is out.

• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound - open a window, leave the building and shut off the main gas valve outside.

• If water pipes are damaged -- shut off the water supply at the main valve.

• Check your home for structural damage to include the chimney.

• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, and flammable liquids.

• Visually inspect utility lines and appliances for damage.

• Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.

• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

• Use the phone only to report a life-threatening emergency.

• Listen to the radio for the latest emergency information.

• Stay off the streets and avoid damaged areas, unless you have been asked to help by proper authority.

26 WEEKS TO EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS
Once your emergency kit is assembled and your emergency plan is in place, don't forget to rotate and replace items as they expire. Most important, practice your plan and update it as your family's needs change.

• Get a portable container with a lid to use as an emergency kit. A plastic storage bin or garbage can works well, particularly one with wheels. Choose an accessible location for the container near an exit, and label the container. Make sure all family members know what it will be used for and where it is.

• Stock your kit with a three-day supply of water, and don't forget to include water for your pets. You need four litres of water per person per day - two for drinking and two for food preparation and hygiene.

• Arrange an out-of-area phone contact person, and keep this and other emergency phone numbers near each telephone. Teach each family member these numbers.

• Stock your kit with several varieties of canned meat and dried fruit. Include a manual can opener.

• Get a portable radio and extra batteries for your emergency kit.

• Learn about hazards. Find out what the hazards are in your community, and do a home hazard hunt to make your home safer. Secure appliances and heavy furniture, and move beds away from heavy mirrors and windows.

• Give every family member specific safety tasks to do in an emergency. For example, designate one person to be in charge of turning off electricity, one to collect the emergency container, one to take charge of any pets, etc. Add peanuts and granola bars to your kit.

• Identify safe places in your home and on your property. Plan and practice evacuation drills using two different escape routes from each room. Add containers of juice or juice crystals to your kit.

• Stock your kit with both large and medium-sized plastic garbage bags (orange or yellow make good visible signals). Large bags can also be used as ponchos, ground covers or blankets. Add plastic or paper dishes.

•  Identify a family meeting place away from home but close to your regular spots (between work and home or school). Add some books, toys and cards to your kit.

•  Add a flashlight and extra batteries, along with candles and waterproof matches.

•  Add some dried soups, crackers and peanut butter to your emergency kit.

•  Check your insurance policies and make records of your possessions.

• Prepare a first-aid kit that includes extra prescription medication, extra eyeglasses, bandages, sterile gauze pads, tape, scissors, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide and over-the-counter pain pills.

• Add a change of clothing for each family member to your kit. Be sure to include warm clothing, heavy work gloves and sturdy shoes.

• Add some canned food like stews, baked beans and vegetables to your kit.

• Enroll a family member in a first-aid course.

• Add personal toiletry items like toilet paper, handi wipes, soap, detergent, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, sanitary supplies, etc. to your emergency kit.

• Add evaporated canned or powdered milk and cereal to your kit.

• If needed, include infant supplies including disposable diapers, disposable bottles, formula, etc. to your emergency kit.

• Get a large bucket with a tight-fitting lid to use as a toilet, and put it with your emergency kit. Use the bucket to store other emergency tools like an axe, a folding shovel and rope.

• Add some freeze-dried or foil pouch food products like meats, soups, vegetables and stews.

• Add a pocketknife (Swiss army style), cutlery, a whistle and spare set of house and car keys to your container.

• Keep a leash or pet carrier near your kit and add a three-day supply of pet food.

• Add sleeping bags or blankets to your kit along with water purification tablets.

• Assemble important documents like wills, insurance papers, medical records, inventory of possessions, identification, etc. in a fireproof/waterproof container. Add a family photo album to your emergency kit.

Make a Plan

• Choose a place outside the home to meet in the event of an emergency.
• Decide on an out-of-town contact everyone could call to confirm their well-being.
• Decide where pets will be kept and plan to leave enough water and food for their survival.

Around the House
Keep a smaller version of this kit in a grab and go kit in the event of an evacuation. Each member of your family should have a grab and go kit.  This should be kept in an easily accessible location.

• Instruction in Emergency Procedures – Family Disaster Plan

• Water (4 litres per person per day)

• First Aid Kit (a first aid course is strongly recommended)

• Essential medication and eyeglasses

• Fire extinguisher (these need to be checked regularly)

• Escape ladder for second storey of home

• Notebook and pen

• Flashlight – spare batteries and bulb

• Radio – portable, battery operated

• Spare batteries

• Packaged meals, canned food

• Can opener, non–electric

• Food for pets

• Money - $10.00 in change

• Watch

• Family photos

• Reading material

• Whistle (signal for help)

• Trash bags – large plastic – for trash, waste, water protection

• Personal Hygiene Supplies – soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc.

• Infant supplies

• Blankets

• Household bleach for water purification

• Crow bar, for prying open doors etc

• Crescent wrench – for turning off gas main and water (Only turn off gas if you can smell gas)

• Plastic sheeting

• Candles

• Matches - waterproof

• Multi – purpose Knife

• Gloves, heavy duty – for clearing debris

• Clothing and shoes, warm/sturdy (a change of clothing for each member of the family)

• Masks, (protective dust)

• Games and toys

• Inventory list of this kit

In the Vehicle
Remember to check your supplies at least every 6 months (Change water if necessary, make sure batteries aren’t leaking).  Store these items in a backpack - make them easy to carry.  Keep vehicle gas tank at least Ľ full at all times.

• Warm comfortable clothing

• Sturdy shoes and socks for walking

• Heavy work gloves for moving debris

• WATER for three days (don’t forget your usual passengers)

• Food for 3 days (if canned, pack a manual can opener)

• First Aid Kit (a first aid course is strongly recommended)

• Essential medications and eye glasses

• Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb

• Whistle (signal for help)

• Portable radio and spare batteries

• Map of the area where you live and travel

• Notebook and pen to leave a message if you abandon your car (list name, address, time, destination and route taken)

• Money (include coins for telephones – there may be no banks or bank machines available)

• Garbage bags for sanitation, rain ponchos, shelters (bright colours provide best visibility)

• Kleenex and moist towelettes

• Waterproof matches

• Candles

• Emergency blankets or sleeping bag

• Dust masks

• Multi-purpose knife

• Cord or rope and roll of electrical tape can help make a shelter

• Personal hygiene supplies

• Personal identification tags with your “out of province” and “next of kin” contacts

Pets
Advance planning for your pets is essential……. It could save your pet’s life and make your life much easier during an emergency!

• Acquire a pet carrier (portable kennel) or crate for each house pet & familiarize pet with the portable kennel.

• Be sure your pet’s vaccinations & records are up to date.

• Have a leash & properly fitting collar with current license (ID) & vaccinations.

• In your home determine the best location to place your pets during an emergency.  The site should be away from windows and in a utility area, bathroom, kitchen or easily cleaned area.

• Have ample supplies of dry type (less palatable) pet food and kitty litter.

• Have plenty of newspaper, plastic bags, cleanser and disinfectants to properly handle pet wastes.

• Have non-spill water and food bowls.

• Have a week’s supply of any medications that your pet is taking.

• Have photographs of your pets to aid in the identification of your pet, should it stray during an emergency.

• A blanket or towels should be a part of your Pet Emergency Kit.

If you plan to leave your house and leave behind your pet(s) remember:

• Birds must eat daily to survive. Use special food dispensers if you must leave them behind

• Never leave a cat with a dog even if the two are normally friendly.

• Confine & keep small pets (birds, hamsters, etc.) away from cats & dogs.

• Provide access to high places, such as counter tops, in case flooding occurs.

• Difficult or dangerous animals should be left in special crates or cages to reduce the possibility of them getting loose.

Neighbourhood Program
The Neighbourhood Program (similar to how Block Watch is set up) is designed to teach individuals and families how to become personally prepared for a minimum of 72 hours in the event of an emergency or disaster.  As well it teaches neighbours how to plan and train as a neighbourhood to respond safely and effectively as organized teams during a disaster or emergency.

Even though nothing can be done to prevent a disaster, individuals and families that are prepared before a disaster strikes are more likely to cope more effectively during the event and recover more quickly after the event. Depending on the area that you live in, you could be faced with different types of emergencies or disasters such as earthquakes, floods, train derailments, power outages, etc.

The process involved to get a Neighbourhood Program in your Neighbourhood is:

Plan a meeting with your neighbours to:

• Determine the number of homes in your Neighbourhood.

• Identify hazards and their potential effects and impacts to your neighbourhood.

• Prepare a response plan for your neighbourhood identifying assembly points, and locations for the 7 Response Teams. (Response Teams listed on back)

• Encourage neighbours to volunteer on at least one of the Neighbourhood Teams that form part of that plan.  Workbooks will be provided for each of the teams and its members.

• Encourage neighbours to develop a plan for Emergency Preparedness for themselves and their families.

• Determine and identify the neighbourhood resources within your neighbourhood, including: individual, family, neighbourhood and community resources.

• Encourage neighbours to attend training sessions which will be provided for personal preparedness, fire suppression, search and rescue.  Your team leader will be advised of all training sessions.

If you would like information please contact the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows Neighbourhood Emergency Program at the District of Maple Ridge 604-463-5221 or email enquiries@mapleridge.org

NEIGHBOURHOOD PROGRAM RESPONSE TEAMS

Neighbourhood Team Captain
Provides the overall leadership and coordination of the neighbourhood’s plan before, during and after a disaster.  The leader encourages, monitors and assists individual Response Team Leaders to complete their pre-disaster plans and activities.

FIRST AID
This team provides on-site first aid care and emotional support to injured neighbours. They select a location for a first aid station in the neighbourhood and plan ahead for any neighbours who may require special care.

UTILITIES AND FIRE SUPPRESSION
This team reduces hazards from fire of damaged utilities. They shut off gas meters, electricity and water mains if necessary. They cordon off hazardous areas.

LIGHT URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE
This team locates missing neighbours and rescues those trapped and/or injured.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION
This team provides a communication link and transportation between teams, and between the Team Leader and outside resources.

SHELTER AND CARE GIVING
This team provides a safe, clean environment - in addition to shelter, food and care for neighbours who need help after a disaster.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
This team conducts a rapid and accurate preliminary assessment of the damage in your neighbourhood and then reports their findings to the Team Leader.

EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES

WHAT IS IT?
Emergency Social Services (E.S.S.) is a pre-planned municipal emergency response organization designed to provide disaster victims and volunteers with essential services in the event of a community emergency. Emergency Social Services also works closely with other organizations who are called upon to provide support when necessary.

WHO IS IT?
The Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Emergency Social Services team is comprised of volunteers responsible for the following areas:

• Emergency Clothing Service
• Emergency Lodging Service
• Emergency Feeding Service
• Emergency Registration & Inquiry Service
• Emergency Personal Service

WHAT DO WE DO?
The Emergency Social Services team:

• Attends monthly planning meetings.
• Designates local buildings, i.e. schools and churches as reception centres.
• Contacts suppliers and arranges for them to provide clothing, food, and catering services during an emergency.
• Makes arrangements with hotels and motels to provide lodging if required.
• Conducts table top and training exercises at regular intervals.
• Recruits and trains volunteers.

IF THERE’S AN EMERGENCY....
The Emergency Social Services team will open a reception centre in a building suitable to the size of the disaster within 72 hours. Registration and inquiry areas will be set up to register and reunite victims. The personal services team will coordinate with suppliers to provide suitable clothing, food, and lodging to those who require it.

Further information on emergency planning can be obtained from the:

Area Emergency Coordinator

District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place
Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 6A9
Telephone: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7331

OR

District of Pitt Meadows
12007 Harris Road
Pitt Meadows, B.C. V3Y 2B5
Telephone: 604-465-5454
Fax: 604-465-2404

Or by contacting Mike Davies, Emergency Coordinator 604-467-7447 or

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District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9
Telephone: 604-463-5221  Fax: 604-467-7329
e-mail: enquiries@mapleridge.org
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