Central Peace Community Evacuation Plan
This plan addresses a specific activity that may occur during an emergency or disaster.
It is a component of the Central Peace – Regional Emergency Plan which contains the
contact information for municipal and provincial resources.
The procedures contained in this plan are intended to complement those contained in
the Reception Centre Plan.
General
If any emergency or disaster makes it necessary to evacuate all or any portion of The
Central Peace, the following procedures will be followed:
Notification and Communication
(1)
The Director of Emergency Management may be notified by any first response
agencies or a provincial government.
(2)
The Director and Site Commander will discuss and determine the following:
(3)
a)
Nature of the hazard and level of risk to the public
b)
Need for Evacuation or Shelter in Place
c)
Area to be evacuated/sheltered
d)
Need to declare a State of Local Emergency
e)
Need to provide transportation for evacuees
f)
Which reception center(s) will be used
The Director of Emergency Management will issue a warning to the public to
evacuate using the Alberta Emergency Alert System(link to
http://www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca/) and then coordinate evacuation
operations. (Reference - Part 2 – Alberta Emergency Alert)
a)
Alert Central Peace – Regional Emergency Management Agency
personnel, and mobilize those as required
b)
Recommend to elected officials (Central Peace - Regional Emergency
Management Committee(link to document) to declare a state of local
emergency, if necessary (Reference - Part 2 - Declaration Procedures)
Part 3.1 - 1
d)
Contact the Emergency Social Services Manager to activate the
Reception Centre Plan. Also, advise which reception centre(s) will be
used, the expected numbers of evacuees, and time of arrival for
evacuees.
e)
Advise the other Directors of Emergency Management in neighboring
communities intended to receive evacuees to activate the Reception
Centre Plan. Also provide the expected numbers and time of arrival for
evacuees.
f)
Notify the 9-1-1 Dispatch Centre (780) 538-0390, and advise which
Emergency Operations Centre and Reception Centre will be activated and
provide the contact numbers
g)
Alert all surrounding schools, Alberta Health Services, institutions, etc
h)
Assess need for mutual aid assistance
i)
Notify Alberta Emergency Management Agency at 1 (866) 618-2362
j)
Provide regular information updates to evacuees and the reception centre
k)
Assign a person to monitor social media, electronic bulletin boards and
media report to ensure accuracy of information
East Emergency Operations Centre
Birch Hills County Office
Wanham, AB
(780) 694-3793
West Emergency Operations Centre
Saddle Hills County Office
79177 Range Road 84
(780) 864-3760
Part 3.1 - 2
Reception Centers
(1)
(2)
The reception center(s) will be designated and evacuees will be instructed to call
or go to the reception center to be registered
Schools are the best choice for Reception Centers and Congregate Lodging due
to the size and available resources. Community Centers may also be useable as
reception centers for smaller scale evacuations with minimal lodging needs
Coordination of Evacuation
(1)
The site commander shall coordinate the evacuation as follows:
a)
Teams shall be assigned to geographic sectors (use street or road
numbers and aerial photos or maps)
b)
Residents are to be advised of: the nature of the emergency and need to
evacuate; the safest route to leave the area; directions to the reception
centre; and, the phone number for the reception centre
c)
Evacuees should be provided with the Residential Evacuation Advice
Checklist
d)
All buildings on a property should be checked unless residents advise that
all persons have been accounted for
e)
Residences where no one is home should be checked to ensure that
everyone is out. These residences should also be posted with an evacuation
notice if possible
f)
Residences that have been cleared should be flagged with blue survey
ribbon; those that could not be accessed to check should be marked with
orange or red survey ribbon
Transportation
(1)
It is anticipated that most people will provide their own transportation during an
evacuation. However, any person in the need of transportation should contact
neighbours for assistance or, as a last resort, call 9-1-1.
(2)
Persons who are physically unable to go to the designated Reception Center or
persons with functional needs should pre-arrange for pick-up by a family member
or neighbor appropriate transportation or as a last resort call 9-1-1
Part 3.1 - 3
(3)
Persons with extra space in their vehicles will be requested to assist others
needing transportation
(4)
Further instructions for evacuees will be given with the official public
announcement and evacuation advisory (Local Broadcasters)
Schools
School staff and students will be evacuated in accordance with the School Emergency
Plan.
Institutions
Patients or residents from Health Care Centres, Long Term Care Centres and Seniors'
Homes will be evacuated or sheltered according to the Facility Emergency Plan but may
require support under the Central Peace – Regional Emergency Plan.
Security & Re-entry
To ensure the evacuation is complete:
(1)
Security and safety checks of vacated premises will be performed by those
emergency services responsible
(2)
During an evacuation, road blocks into the area will be maintained by designated
personnel or contracted security agencies, as required
(3)
Access to an evacuated area will be restricted to Emergency Personnel
(4)
Evacuees may be allowed to return during the event, and will be escorted by
security until the operation is complete
(5)
Re-entry plans will be developed to coordinate the safe return of evacuees and
restore services:
 Inspections of area and residences are conducted
 Hazards are removed or mitigated
 Key infrastructure is made usable
 Utilities are restored (may be turned on after residents are home)
 Clean up plans are in place
(6)
Only when the area is determined to be safe will the Director of Emergency
Management give the general order to return
Part 3.1 - 4
Residential Evacuation Advice Checklist
Preparation
If time is available or notice of intent to evacuate the area(s) is given, the following
preparations should be immediately undertaken by residents:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Alert all family members, immediately
Maintain constant knowledge of whereabouts of all family members
Private motor vehicles should be prepared and fuelled
If you Do Not have transportation or you have functional needs, please contact a
neighbor for assistance or as a last resort call 9-1-1
Emergency supplies should be readied
Secure or prepare to secure your home on departure
If you have extra space in your vehicle please help neighbours who may need a
ride
Report to the reception center to register
Equipment
Most important items to take with you, time permitting, are:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Protective clothing - clothing appropriate to the weather conditions; such as a
parka, winter jackets, overcoat, rain gear, boots, gloves, etc., and extra functional
clothing for an extended stay
Emergency equipment - first aid kit, flashlights, portable radios, batteries, basic
tools, matches, candles, etc.
Personal items - medicines, money, personal papers, identification, etc.
Emergency food and water - basic utensils, dry foods, high-energy snacks, etc.
Optional Items
The following items, if available time and space permit, could prove useful in temporary
accommodations and would lessen the burden on the hosting municipality:
a)
b)
c)
Bedding - sleeping bags, extra blankets, camp cots, or air mattresses
Camping or portable furniture - lawn chairs, camp stoves, cooking utensils, etc
Recreational materials - books, cards, games, portable TV's, handheld video
games, etc.
Prohibited Items: do not take alcoholic beverages, firearms, or dangerous articles with
you.
Pets: providing your pet is small, can readily be housed in a cage, and has adequate
food to last a minimum of two weeks, it will then be allowed to be taken, but it must be
given second priority
Security: on evacuating, residences should be secured (i.e., doors/windows locked,
heat turned off/down, etc., (instructions will be issued) and "attractive" items stored
indoors, time permitting
Medications/Drugs: special medications should be taken along with the person.
Inform Registrar at Evacuation Reception Centre of your special medical needs.
Part 3.1 - 5
Shelter-in-Place Procedures
When safe to do so, evacuation is the primary protective measure to ensure public
safety. However; sheltering-in-place will be considered in circumstances when:
• There is not enough time or warning to safely evacuate the public immediately
• Stakeholders are waiting for evacuation assistance
• There is a product release of limited duration
• The location of the release has not been identified
• The public would be at a higher risk if they were evacuated
General Shelter-in-Place Instructions
-The following steps should be communicated to the public if individuals are asked to
shelter-in-place:
Immediately gather everyone indoors and stay there
- Close all windows and outside doors
 If convenient, tape the gaps around the exterior door frames
- Extinguish indoor wood burning fires
 If possible, close flue dampers
- Turn off appliances or equipment that either:
 Blows air out or uses indoor air
 Sucks in outside air
- Turn off furnace and turn off air conditioners
- Leave open all inside doors
- Avoid using the telephone, except for emergencies, so that you can be contacted by
emergency response personnel
- Stay tuned to local radio and television for possible information updates
- Even if you see people outside do not leave until told to do so
Evacuation will be the primary public protection method used in the event of an
emergency.
Note: Sensitive individuals should be treated with priority and may choose to evacuate
an area at an earlier time than other residents. Sensitive individuals may be highly
responsive or sensitive to toxic gases
Post Shelter in Place Instructions
Once the emergency situation has been corrected you will receive the ‘all-clear’
message from the emergency response personnel:
• Ventilate your building
• Open all windows and doors
• Turn on indoor fans
• Turn on the furnace
• Avoid remaining inside during this time (if possible) as the outdoor air may be fresher
Once the building is ventilated, return all heating, ventilating and other equipment
to normal.
Part 3.1 - 6