PCCEMA holds annual Emergency Preparedness event

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency (PCCEMA) and several partner agencies held their annual Emergency Preparedness event on Friday May 9 on Police Avenue next to the Provincial Building.

The primary purpose of the event was to remind people to be prepared in the case of an emergency and educate them on how to be prepared.  There was information available outlining how to prepare a 72 hour emergency kit, where to keep it, and what to do during various possible emergency events including floods, storms, fires, hazardous spills, epidemics, landslides or avalanches, structural collapses, and the disruption of utilities. 

72 hour emergency kit

Agencies involved included:

• Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency
• Piikani Nation Emergency Services
• Pincher Creek Emergency Services
• Pincher Creek Search and Rescue
• Pincher District Citizens on Patrol
• Town of Pincher Creek Public Works
• Salvation Army from Lethbridge
• Canadian Red Cross from Lethbridge

Max tries on fire gear with Lundreck Fire's Aaron Layton

Each agency present touched on the importance of personal responsibility, specifically the need to be prepared for emergencies. Deputy Director of Emergency Management for Pincher Creek Pat Neumann's mandate covers a wide area including the MD of Pincher Creek and its hamlets, the Town of Pincher Creek, and the Village of Cowley. "This is a way to get this important information out to the public," he explained.  We are letting people know how to be better prepared for emergency events that can happen in their community."

PCCEMA Deputy Chief Pat Neumann

"The big promotion this year is about being prepared to weather the storm for 72 hours. To that end, we have a draw and are giving away a 72 hour emergency kit. You should be able to maintain you and your family for 72 hours."

Although a basic store-bought kit is a great start, Neumann recommends that you look at what your individual family would need over the course of a three day emergency, adding to the basic kit any additional requirements. "That may include medications, what you need for your pets, anything that you need to include."

Search and Rescue's Cindy Mauthe and Ruger were a hit with the pre-schooler set

Canadian search and rescue dog Ruger is an important part of the Pincher Creek Search and Rescue Team.  He is a five year old Belgian Shepherd who started his training when he was 10 weeks old.  "He's been on eleven or twelve searches," explained Cindy Mauthe, his handler and trainer.  He's been on standby for searches as far away as Saskatchewan.  Ruger was the highlight of the trip for a few of the kids.

EMT/Firefighter Alyssa Scherer

Search and Rescue's Brett Wuth, Cindy Mauthe, and Ruger

"We are always looking for new members," said Search and Rescue Search Manager Brett Wuth. Wilderness skills are one aspect of what is needed by the agency, and they are always looking for administrative volunteers as well, including people to handle phone duties.

Piikani Fire Department members Rob Smith, Rachel Bad Eagle and Chief Floyd Provost

Piikani Emergency Services set up a display that vividly showed the tools and skills required during a water rescue.  Fire Chief Floyd Provost demonstrated a train derailment emergency using signs set up half a block away.  The signs are numbered and use the codes that would be marked on the train and the train manifest. During the mock derailment he used the codes to identify what the cargo was, how to contain it, whether it was flammable or not, and how far back from the scene the public would have to be evacuated to.  "These are important to  this department because of Highway 3 and the railway," he said.

Jan and Larry Kaludjer were on hand to answer questions about Citizens On Patrol

Although most of the services represented were local, in an emergency regions often work together.  The Salvation Army came from Lethbridge and offered food services during the day.  "We're here supporting the local Emergency Services exercise," said Debbie Bakker, who has been with the Salvation Army for 12 years.  Canadian Red Cross Lethbridge District Manager Jim Christie explained that Red Cross is a service across the world and in our neighborhood.

Water rescue demonstration

Pre-schoolers checking out the water rescue display