Natural disasters, cattails on agenda for Emo council

One of the main topics of discussion at last Tuesday’s council meeting in Emo was the District Resource Group (DRG).
The DRG is a new program that will speed help and aid to victims of disasters, which may include floods, forest fires, windstorms, and severe winter weather just to name a few.
“When there’s a wind storm or flood, somebody has to get on the ground that has the authority that knows what there talking about,” said Ralph Hunsperger, who was a victim of a windstorm back in August, 2001.
The storm destroyed his hay and manure barns while damaging a third barn. There also were notable dents in his silo and the silo’s ladder was twisted as result of the storm.
This incident, and others since then, prompted district municipalities to take action on how to better the results for the victims of future disasters.
“We’re working better because of that incident that took place a number of years ago,” noted Emo Reeve Ed Carlson. “And that’s why there has been so many of these meetings that we’ve put into place.”
If similar disasters occur today, we would be more prepared, added Reeve Carlson.
The extensive flooding across Rainy River District back in 2002 is a prime example of a disaster where many victims scrambled for help—only for many to become confused and disappointed by the help the government provided.
According to a DRG information handout, many of the same personnel from provincial ministries and other agencies are included on most of the Community Control Groups (CCG) or their extended lists.
The 0PP, ambulance services, the Rainy River DSSAB, MNR, MTO, MoE, Hydro One, and EMO all may have representation on the CCG, according to a typical community emergency response plan.
During a single community emergency, it usually is possible to have representatives from most, if not all, of the above organizations.
During multiple concurrent community emergencies, the limited number of personnel available from each agency may make it impossible to have a representative, or help on every CCG.
The establishment of a DRG will address the personnel shortage issue during multiple emergency situations. It will be activated any time two or more communities in the district have concurrent emergencies.
The DRG will convene at a pre-determined location to co-ordinate resource requests from the respective CCGs, as well as to streamline communications between the communities and agencies that are providing assistance.
If anyone should become a victim of any disasters, keep a paper trail consisting of expenses and other important details.
Also at last Tuesday’s meeting, Public Works superintendent Dan Wilson addressed council concerning the removal of cattails at the lagoon in Emo.
“We’re not going to get a better time than right now,” stressed Wilson.
The cattails are getting to be 20 feet wide, which leaves little space for other items to flow into.
Removal of the lagoon’s clay is something they want to avoid.
We don’t want to get into the clay when doing the removal of the cattails, noted Wilson. “We just want to take the cattails roots off,” he explained.
This is the first time since maintenance of the lagoon that the cattails are scheduled to be removed, Wilson noted.
Burning the cattails, once dry, was an option but whether the roots also would burn was another issue.
“We’re not going to get another chance [to clean out the cattails]. I’ll keep everyone appraised on what’s going on,” Wilson promised.
The motion to have the cattails removed form the lagoon was carried.