Charlottetown schools may be used as emergency shelters

Charlottetown is now better prepared for dealing with extended power outages thanks to a new emergency plan.

• Charlottetown's new emergency plan is in the works

The plan includes an agreement with the English Language SchoolBoard to use any of its 13 schools in the capital as emergency shelter, as well as school buses for transportation.

After a storm last December, Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee said some areas were without power for up to 21 hours and the city didn't even know about it.

In the event of an evacuation, we'll be going door to door to make sure people are out. Randy MacDonald, Charlottetown fire chief

"One of the initiatives of the city is that we have two million dollars established in a capital fund to be able to put emergency generators in those schools," said Randy MacDonald, Charlottetown fire chief and emergency measures coordinator. "We're also looking at other revenue streams that would help us be able to do that."

As well, the city has designed a standard operating guideline that is now before a committee for approval.

"What that does it is simply states who does what, when," explained MacDonald.

'Good rapport'

"We've built a very good rapport with Maritime Electric which we always did have and now I'm able to be in contact with the Queens County superintendent at any time," MacDonald said. This will give the city a handle on how many residents are affected in what areas.

The city can then decide if it should open a reception centre where affected residents can get a hot cup of coffee, charge portable devices and get information about the outage.

"If the power disruption is prolonged, then it may turn around from being a reception centre to an emergency shelter," MacDonald said, adding the city has the Red Cross on contract to provide emergency lodging.

The city has developed agreements with about 40 community organizations including businesses and church groups in Charlottetown to use their buildings as emergency shelters. MacDonald said, as well as the schools.

Mass notification

Other parts of the plan are in the works too, including a mass notification system. Residents will be able to register for emergency messages from the city that may be delivered by text, email or phone.

• PHOTOS | Winter storm takes toll on Island

Residents can also organize their own personal emergency plans. Charlottetown borrowed templates from New York City that people can fill out online including personal, pet and business emergency plans as well as one for people with disabilities.

"In the event of an evacuation, we'll be going door to door to make sure people are out," said MacDonald.

Don't forget pets

The city has also established an agreement with the P.E.I. Humane Society to look after pets during a city emergency.

There's no deadline for the completion of the plan, but MacDonald said he's very pleased with progress and believes the city is ready if anything happens.

"We can go at any time if we need to," MacDonald concluded.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS IP.E.I. palliative home care program big success so far, says province
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS I'A disappointing day': Fish kill cleanup underway in Clyde River