Working Draft for:
Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for March 26th, 2020 8:35 am
With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck
This week we focus on: Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA)
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/crown-corporations/saskatchewan-public-safety-agency#programs-services-and-initiatives
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA)
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is a Treasury Board Crown Agency responsible for:
- provincial emergency management, fire safety and wildfire management in our province; and
- managing Saskatchewan's 911 emergency dispatching services
The SPSA's vision is to enhance, support and integrate public safety in Saskatchewan.
The agency's mission is to safeguard and protect the people property and resources of Saskatchewan through partnerships, co-ordinated planning, education, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery.
About this agency:
- Programs, Services and Initiatives
- Board of Directors
- President's Message
- Job Opportunities
- Plans and Annual Reports
- Legislation
- News Releases
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/emergency-management
Emergency Management
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Management Courses
- Municipalities: Disaster Prevention and Preparedness
- Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network
Renseignements en français
Contact Numbers
Dial 9-1-1
for police, fire, rescue or
dangerous goods emergencies.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
Phone: 306-787-3774
Fax: 306-787-7107
Report a Spill
To report a chemical or hazardous material spill, call 1-800-667-7525 or go here for more information.
Report a spill
24 Hour Information and to reach local SPSA contacts:
Phone: 306-787-9563
Municipal Directory
Contact information for Saskatchewan municipalities.
Every year, Saskatchewan faces the possibility of emergencies stemming from both natural and human causes. Severe winter weather, wildfires, chemical spills, floods and other events remind us of the need for emergency preparedness.
Saskatchewan residents can learn how to prepare for potential emergencies by knowing the risks, making plans and preparing emergency kits.
Municipalities are the first line of defense in an emergency and are responsible under legislation to respond when events threaten the safety of people, property and the environment. Managing emergencies often involves multiple jurisdictions, levels of government, agencies and other emergency responders.
Emergency management for Municipalities/Band Councils
In Saskatchewan, municipalities must establish emergency plans by The Emergency Planning Act, 1989. The plan gives council the responsibility for the direction and control of a municipal emergency response in order to take action to implement the plan and to protect the property, health, safety and welfare of the public.
This legislation requires municipalities to:
- appoint a municipal planning committee;
- establish an Emergency Measures (Management) Organization (EMO);
- appoint an Emergency Coordinator; and
- prepare an emergency plan.
Only council or a member of council in the absence of a quorum – it is recommended it be head of council or the acting head – can officially declare a state of local emergency in a municipality and exercise the special powers the legislation confers on council. The Act protects municipal officials from personal liability for their decisions and actions provided they are acting in good faith and are not grossly negligent.
The Government of Saskatchewan can also declare an emergency through an Order-in-Council and direct municipal resources or direct one municipality to assist another during the emergency. The legislation also provides for recovering the extraordinary costs of responding to certain emergencies. A copy of The Emergency Planning Act, 1989 should be attached to a municipal emergency plan.
Government's role in emergency or disaster response
The Government of Saskatchewan contributes to the safety of its residents and to the protection of property and the environment before, during and after an emergency or a disaster.
The province helps local governments and communities build their capacity to respond to emergencies through planning, training, exercises and supporting each of the four pillars in the life cycle of an emergency:
- Mitigation – actions taken to eliminate a hazard or to reduce the probability and the effect, should the disaster occur.
- Preparedness – arrangements to ensure that if an emergency occurs the services and resources including human resources needed to cope can be efficiently mobilized.
- Response – actions taken to save lives and property during an emergency.
- Recovery – actions taken to return a community to normal or near-normal conditions.
The province also provides support and advice to local officials during an emergency event. Depending on the magnitude of an event, other levels of government may be requested to assist.
Provincial resources become involved at the point where local capacity is not sufficient to provide an adequate response and the jurisdiction has declared a Local State of Emergency. This response may include opening the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to provide a central point to co-ordinate the operational response of provincial government ministries, agencies and Crown corporations.
Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
When emergencies begin to escalate beyond the capacity of a local jurisdiction or in a number of jurisdictions, the EOC may be activated – depending on level of the incident(s). It remains operational 24 hours a day during an emergency.
The EOC becomes "one voice" for those communities needing help. This is accomplished by using an incident command system, which brings together ministries, agencies and organizations and helps them work together to aid those who have requested assistance and to co-ordinate response and resources.
Single Engine Aircraft Tanker program
The Single Engine Aircraft Tanker (SEAT) program was launched by the provincial government in 2018 and is managed with assistance from the Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association. The program facilitates local municipalities to arrange for third-party aerial applicator planes to respond to grass fires and wildfire situations in the southern areas of the province.
If a local fire department wishes to hire a SEAT plane, they should contact the Provincial Emergency Communications Centre (PECC) by:
- phone at 306-953-4284, or
- radio
via the Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network (PPSTN).
Please follow proper radio procedure and discipline as this frequency is shared with other public safety responders.
The SEAT program is primarily for use in central and southern Saskatchewan during grass fires and wildfires to assist local firefighting services, which is typically a local municipality's responsibility. The Ministry of Environment aircraft will still be used to fight wildfires on forested provincial Crown land, primarily in northern Saskatchewan.
If you are interested in SEAT training or more details about the dispatch process, call 306-280-3079 or email proveoc.finance@gov.sk.ca
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/emergency-management/municipality-disaster-prevention
Preparing for an emergency
In Saskatchewan, municipalities are obligated to establish emergency plans by The Emergency Planning Act, 1989, which also gives council the responsibility for the direction and control of a municipal emergency response in order to take action to implement the plan and to protect the property, health, safety and welfare of the public.
In an emergency, response agencies focus their efforts first where the need is greatest. That is why individual emergency preparedness is so important. It only takes three simple steps to become better prepared to face an emergency:
- know the risks
- make a plan
- get or prepare an emergency kit
Suggested mitigative actions to reduce risks
The Saskatchewan Flood and Natural Hazard Risk Assessment Report provides an understanding of flood and natural hazard risks in the province.
The document can be used as a tool to help communities plan long-term disaster mitigation measures.
The report was produced following consulting with stakeholders, who provided their insights, along with an analysis and summary of natural hazard risks.
Both documents were produced by the Saskatchewan Research Council.
Suggested mitigative actions to prevent flooding
- Clear neighbourhood storm water catch basins, where present, to help water drain.
- Determine if any private wells could be infiltrated by flood water and consider the adequacy of wellhead protection and the security of the well' power supply.
If you are an administrative official and your community requires assistance in preparing for flooding, including ordering flood supplies and equipment, please contact the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
Related Items
A toll free line (1-866-457-2377) puts you in touch with agriculture specialists.
Protect yourself and your family by learning more about the different kinds of winter hazards you might encounter and how to plan for possible emergencies.
The Government of Canada has a list of steps you can follow before, during and after a flood.
Visit the Get Prepared website for more tips and ideas to help with emergency preparedness.
This Ministry of Environment fact sheet explains how to safely dispose of flood-damaged items.
Apply for PDAP designation for disaster assistance and financial aid for citizens and businesses recovering from a natural disaster.
A Saskatchewan Ministry of Health booklet on what to do before the water rises.
Download, print and share these fact sheets to residents to help spread the word about fire safety.
View these documents related to water quality and best practices concerning water treatment and well disinfection.
Call toll-free 1-888-935-0000 or contact any of the 21 Crop Insurance offices across the province for more information.
Visit the WSA site for the provincial flood forecast, provincial water management strategies, permits and approvals.
Learn what you should do if you smell natural gas.
Check out the electrical safety information for homeowners and workers.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority posts information about water testing services in the province.
"What is the purpose of a business continuity plan?
Business continuity planning (BCP) is the process involved in creating a system of prevention and recovery from potential threats to a company. The plan ensures that personnel and assets are protected and are able to function quickly in the event of a disaster." Jun 1, 2019
Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Definition - Investopedia
Events:
Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $9,604.
Chase the Ace has been postponed due to Coronavirus concerns and will resume once it is safe to do so!
Draws every Thursday night at the Curling Rink.
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- And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca
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