GUELPH/ERAMOSA - Guelph/Eramosa Township Council has received the emergency management programme committee structure update report, but some were worried and anxious with the updated committee members list.
Regulation 380/04 of the emergency management and civil protection act requires the appointment of an emergency management programme committee to advise council on the development and implementation of the township’s emergency management program.
The regulation also sets out who will be on the committee. This includes the community emergency management coordinator (CEMC), a senior municipal staff representative, members of council and municipal employees responsible for emergency management functions for the municipality.
The emergency management programme committee is responsible for advising council on developing the emergency management program and implementing it within the municipality.
At Monday’s council meeting, Hurania Melgar, CEMC, announced that alternates will be removed from the members list as per the field officer from Emergency Management Ontario’s instructions.
As such, the deputy mayor title will no longer be specified in the members list.
“The deputy mayor title is now listed under ‘any other persons or agency representatives that may be appointed by Council from time to time,’” explained Melgar.
“Deputy Mayor Corey Woods is correct that he’s not specifically named but that’s how our field officer advised it should be listed now; it should be listed by title and no alternates.”
Woods and Mayor Chris White were worried about the change, noting that if there was an emergency and the mayor cannot attend, no one would know who will be his alternate.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, it seems a little strange but I understand what they’re trying to say, that you wouldn’t have an ability especially in an emergency situation as there are no indications of appointing powers to the alternates,” said White.
“But it seems to me that that’s the time we need specifics the most. Unless it knocks us out of compliance, and unless council objects, I don’t see the issue in putting an alternate on that list.”
Melgar explained the slight difference between the committee members and the members of the municipal emergency control group who are required to do the training.
Meanwhile, the municipal emergency control group is the group who is responsible for conducting the municipality’s emergency response plan during an emergency. They are the ones with the governing powers during an emergency.
Woods worried that after the election, the deputy mayor may not be appointed the alternate, which is where confusion may arise if an emergency situation occurs.
“I think as long as Woods is part of the emergency management group that’s what counts, so it doesn’t matter if we put the deputy mayor title in that list or not,” said White.
The field officer has also instructed the council to appoint the CAO as the chair of the committee, which township council were in favour of.
The County of Wellington, Townships of Centre Wellington, Mapleton, and Wellington North, and the Town of Minto have all identified the emergency management committee chair as the CAO.
The Township of Puslinch and Town of Erin are expected to do the same in the weeks to come as similar reports are brought to their respective councils.
