Pincher Creek Voice: Multiple events held for Emergency Preparedness Week 2013

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Multiple events held for Emergency Preparedness Week 2013

Some of our area's First Responders at May 10 event
C. Davis photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice
Interviews with Brett Wuth and Robert Frost conducted by Junior Journalists

Pincher Creek and area's various emergency organizations combined forces May 5 to 11 for Emergency Preparedness Week, a national event, which locally featured various events designed to inform the public and prepare the public.

Rope Rescue demonstration

On May 4 there was a Joint Rescue Team demonstration of rope rescue techniques at the Hewetson Avenue bridge, which was well attended by curious citizens and Junior Journalists participating in the Chamber of Commerce Kids Discovery Day event. The demonstration was led by Brett Wuth of Pincher Creek Search and Rescue.

The multi-talented Robert Frost hangs out at the Hewetson Avenue bridge
Junior Journalist photo

"We are part of the joint Rope Rescue team, between Search and Rescue and Emergency Services," explained Wuth, who has years of rescue experience and was the recent recipient of the Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency (PCCEMA) Volunteer of the Year 2013 award.

Rope Rescue demonstration with Robert Frost

"Today is Search and Rescue Day," said Wuth. Part of what we're doing is trying to make people more aware of what Emergency Services and Search and Rescue are doing, and we're also recruiting people. If people are interested in joining Search and Rescue, or the Emergency Services, this is an opportunity to let them know what we are doing and encourage them to come and join us."

Junior Journalist photo

"We both have a need to be able to do rope rescue," continued Wuth. "With Search and Rescue, it's in the wilderness, and with Emergency Services it's in town and on the highways."

Search and Rescue meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at Pincher Creek's Fire Hall.

Robert Frost is a member of Pincher Creek Emergency Services, he's an Emergency Medical Responder, a firefighter, and also a member of Search and Rescue. A quiet hero. On this day it was his lot to be dangled by a rope from the Hewetson Avenue Bridge as the "victim" in the demonstration. "I enjoy it very much," he said. "I've done it before, and I've done a little bit of rock climbing, It's not as scary as one might think. I'm getting used to it. I've got great faith in my team members, and the rigging, and the ropes, and that everything will go successfully."

Fire Hall tour

Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox and several members of his crew provided Kids Discovery Day attendees with a 45 minute tour of the Pincher Creek Fire Hall on May 4, ending with a chance to try out a real fire hose. Pincher Creek Emergency Services is the umbrella organization for Lundbreck Fire, Beaver Mines Fire, and Pincher Creek Fire Departments.

Fire hose lesson
Junior Journalist photo

Pincher Creek Emergency Services is an organization operates out of three stations, including Pincher Creek, Lundbreck, and Beaver Mines, and is staffed by approximately 50 full time and volunteer members. It includes Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It is equipped with a total of 3 ambulances, 6 fire engines of varying sizes, a command truck, a rescue vehicle, and a tender (water transporter).

May 10 activities

At noon on May 10 the emergency sirens in Pincher Creek, Cowley, and Lundbreck were all tested.

Cindy Mauthe and Search and Rescue Dog Ruger
C. Davis photo

Police Avenue between the 7-11 store and the Provincial Building in Pincher Creek was blocked off for special activities by the combined emergency organizations, and was kicked off with a BBQ. There were equipment demonstrations, displays, Search and Rescue dog Ruger was present with handler Cindy Mauthe, Piikani Fire came out, there was an information booth, and it was a great opportunity to chat with emergency responders from our area.

Tom Harnos

It was a pleasant surprise to find former Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Tom Harnos manning the information booth. Harnos is now a South Central Region Fire Field Officer. With him was Alberta Emergency Management Agency Field Officer Mark Murphy, who led a three-day disaster preparedness course in Pincher Creek in January 2013 (click here for that story).

"We're telling people to know the hazards in their areas," explained Murphy, citing some of the potential threats around here such as wind storms, flooding, dangerous goods on the highways, and grassfires. "We want citizens to learn the hazards and we want them to get an emergency plan together."

Be prepared
Make a plan
Build a kit

Clarence Cyr and Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox
C. Davis photo

Murphy said it was important that family members know each other's phone numbers, that they have a previously decided upon place to meet if they are divided in an emergency (including if kids are evacuated from a school) and he stressed the importance of having a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit.

How long can your family survive without outside assistance? If an emergency happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours. ~ Source: 72 hours: Is your family prepared?

Murphy stressed the importance of having your kit prepared beforehand, suggesting using an old backpack, duffle bag, or wheeled luggage. A "Grab and Go" kit "so if police give you 10 minutes to evacuate you can grab your kit and be ready for the next three days if necessary. It's 72 hours because the first responders, police, and ambulances could be very busy with the victims of the event. Some people may be forced out of their homes so the kit ensures they can handle three days prior to resources arriving."

"My role is to work with the Town, MD, and Village of Cowley to build a Municipal Emergency Plan," said Murphy, also saying it was a constantly ongoing process.

Peigan Volunteer Fire Department

Peigan Fire Department member (Fire Chief Floyd Provost far right)
C. Davis photo

Peigan Fire Chief Floyd Provost was also present at the event with several of his crew. "We have 22 guys in the Piikani Department," he said. "We've been educating the members about fire prevention, and the protection of life, limb, and the environment. That's had a positive impact over the last 5 years, we've had less incidents." Piikani Fire has 2 pumpers, 1 brush buggie, 2 water tankers, and a command unit.