Sunbury-York South Supervisor’s Statement on the establishment of an (Interim) Emergency Operations Committee (IEOC)
Dear Residents of SYSRC:
The Local Governance Act outlines four purposes of local government. Among these is the obligation to “develop and maintain safe and viable communities.” Moreover, the Emergency Measures Act requires that “each municipality shall establish and maintain a municipal emergency measures organization.”
The last Council, at the time it was dissolved, had a draft Emergency Management Plan though it had not been adopted or implemented.
An Emergency Management Plan is a core component of safeguarding constituents. As such, in January, we established an (Interim) Emergency Operations Committee. The purpose of the committee is to:
- Finalize the draft Emergency Management Plan for proposal to the 2nd Council upon its formation.
- Prepare a report on the establishment of an Emergency Operations Center.
- Deliver an Awareness Campaign regarding the essentials of Home Preparedness and wildfire prevention.
Suggestions to the committee are welcome, as are volunteers who which to register for the Emergency Management Program. We are in the process of setting up an email address for those who wish to comment, offer suggestions or participate on the committee. The email will be EOC@sysrc.ca and it should be up within a week.
Our aim is to have this Program substantively complete in time for immediate review by the next Council. The long-term viability of the community’s Emergency Management Plan rests on the continued support of community volunteers.
The following is the current list of the members of the interim committee and is subject to change and additions as we do our work:
- Alex LaBelle, Chair
- Don Ferguson, Supervisor SYSRC
- Cindy Ogden SYSRC Assistant Clerk
- Vacant, Secretary
- Vacant, Communications
- Vacant, Community-Outreach Coordinator
- Dan Dekleva, A/Area Manager EMO District 11
- Sgt Stephane Esculier, RCMP
- Chief Jody Price & Assistant Chief Scott Rowe, Oromocto Fire Department
- Chief Harry Farrell, New Maryland Fire
- Chief Tim Donovan, Fredericton Junction Fire
- Trent Piercey, Ambulance NB,
- David Blanchard, Saint John Ambulance and York-Sunbury Search & Rescue
- Abe Scott & Maggie MacDonald, Rusagonis Recreation (Warming) Center,
- Greg Lutes, Trinity Anglican Church (Warming Center)
- Mitch Vail, Community Member
- Gilles Turner, Community Member
The committee will be expanding as we determine needed role and get volunteers. Further updates will be coming as we perform the work of establishing the committee.
Don Ferguson
Supervisor