IGNACE — Three new community safety services will give Ignace the tools to protect current and future residents, says township communications lead Jake Pastore.
A mobile emergency alert system, satellite phones for the fire department and municipal administration, and backup generators at emergency shelter locations will come to Ignace within the next year, supported by a $25,000 grant from Hydro One.
“Having the instruments and the tools in place for a small community is definitely an asset,” said Pastore, pointing to specific ways these services may be critical to safety and wellbeing.
One of the most important things is forest fire season, he said, being able to notify residents in real-time what is happening in case of evacuations.
Pastore also referenced a 2023 incident where there was a gas leak on Pine Street and the town had to alert and evacuate people from the area.
“Or even in circumstances where there is a derailment nearby on the rail line, we need to make sure that we’re keeping our residents up-to-speed and alert on all kinds of different things,” he said.
Boil water advisories can also be sent out through the new mobile alert system, allowing them to tell residents as soon as possible.
With the NWMO’s Centre of Expertise coming to Ignace and some additional housing in the future, Ignace is growing, he said.
“We need to just be prepared for all aspects of population growth, and these are the tools that are going to help us,” said Pastore.
He expects to start seeing these services in place around mid-2027.
“As we invest in the region’s electricity system through projects like the Waasigan Transmission Line, we also fund initiatives that enhance social and cultural well-being to help build safer, stronger environments for the communities we serve, live and work in,” said Hydro One in a news release.
The funding comes through the utility’s community partnership grant, of which Rainy River and Sioux Lookout were also recent recipients.
