"I'm Eating My Cookie" boss fired

Alberta Health Services CEO Dr Stephen Duckett has been fired over his exceptionally poor dealing with reporters. Video, which went viral, showed Ducket shoving a cookie into the face of one reporter while repeating "I'm eating my cookie" in response to questions from the reporters.

This was an example on how disrespect for the media can become a career disaster and create challenges for the organization in maintaining the public's confidence.

For more information go to: http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/life/article/701034--cookie-crumbles-for-alberta-health-boss

Five Canadians Killed at Mexican Resort

An explosion at a Mexican Resort has reportedly killed 5 Canadians including a 9 year old boy as well as two Mexican resort staff. Dozens have been injured.

Vacationers must always be alert and prepared to deal with emergencies where ever they may be... resorts, cruise ships, hotels, bus tours, etc.

Always be aware of your surroundings, know the emergency exits, participate in drills (e.g. cruise ship drills), ensure you have health insurance, etc.

For more information on this terrible explosion:
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2010/11/14/16136781.html

November 6-9, 2011

Mark November 6-9, 2011 in your calendars! The 2011 Provincial Emergency Management Conference has been scheduled for next year and will be in Kingston ON.

Today was the last day of this year's great conference. Again, well done to the organizers and volunteers who made the conference a success.

Look forward to seeing you at the conference next year.

Red Cross Scores Top Marks - Again!!!

The Provincial Emergency Management Conference is currently taking place in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. Emergency Management & Training has the privilege of being part of the trade show and today I had opportunity to speak at one of the sessions. But apart from that giving me a bias towards the conference I must say that the conference is extremely well organized with a great slate of speakers.

My congratulations to John Saunders, Annie Burke and the entire Red Cross team, both staff and volunteers. Well done!

One of the highlights for me today was a presentation by Jean-Pierre Taschereau, Senior Manager, International Emergency Response, Canadian Red Cross. Not only a very articulate and captivating speaker, Jean-Pierre walked us through the trials, challenges and creative solutions implemented by the international Red Cross organizations to the earthquake in Haiti. His deployment, starting the day after the earthquake, was one of true humanitarianism, placing the lives of others before yourself.

It was also a reminder that you cannot rebuild a city that took centuries to grow in a matter of months. It is a long term commitment that continues to require our support financially.

Next year the Provincial Emergency Management Conference will be in Kingston. It is one, based on the past two years, that I would highly recommend. Hope to see you there next year.

US and Canadian Fighters Scrambled

Both US and Canadian fighter jets were scrambled today to escort jets over the Atlantic headed to US destinations.

At this time it appears that several suspicious packages have been discovered after they were shipped from Yemen to the United States, destined for synagogues in the Chicago area.

The media story can be followed at www.cnn.com

Moving Towards Your Goals

Earlier this week I had opportunity to attend the graduation of one of my former staff, a paramedic who had just completed a year long upgrade to Advanced Care Paramedic.

Congratulations Bret Foisy! Well done.

Bret is a young man, a skilled paramedic, who has been willing to take a calculated risk in order to gain a long term goal. While many services have Advanced Care Paramedics and often pay for their staff, in some sort of partnership agreement, to undertake the training, Bret worked for a service that was limited to Primary Care Paramedics by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. While the service has pressed forward with IVs, CPAP, 12 lead ECGs, King LT Advanced Airways and other enhanced skills, there has been a limitation by the MOHLTC to permit the service from moving forward to ACP.

Bret took it upon himself to invest more than $10,000 into the 1 year ACP course, using vacation, banked time and shift changes to attend school while continuing to work full time. All for a course that he did not know if he would be able to use at his service when he graduated. He still doesn't, but you can be sure that other services will be looking to pick up this young man who was willing to look forward and do what it takes to get there.

Emergency planning, much like Bret's calculated risk, is based on looking forward, seeing what the potentials are and planning for them. It takes time, effort and money but if the risks have been assessed, it all pays off in the future.

Congratulations to Bret, and well done to all of those organizations who have taken a serious effort in their emergency preparedness.

Cholera Could Spread to Dominican Republic

Over 3,000 people in Haiti have been diagnosed with cholera in recent weeks, with more than 250 deaths.

Cholera is a bacteria that is spread through contaminated water, food and personal contact. Infecting the intestines it is present in feces and easily spread in areas where sewage is not properly treated, drinking water is contaminated and there is a lack proper hygiene. In Haiti the situation is complicated by the fact that bodies of the deceased with cholera can continue to be host to the bacteria in the tropical heat, spreading the disease if not properly disposed of. Many of these conditions have been exacerbated due to the large number of people still crowded into temporary camps following the earthquake earlier this year.

Severe cases of cholera causes diarrhea and vomiting leading to dehydration, cramps and death. Seniors, children and those with other medical conditions such as HIV have a higher risk of death.

Due to the high daily traffic of persons across the Haiti / Dominican Republic border there is a high risk of cholera carriers bringing the disease into DR. Should there be an outbreak in DR it has the potential to have a double effect, both effecting the health of some communities but also cause concerns within the tourism industry with a potential to impact the financial health of those areas.

For more information on the cholera outbreak go to the Pan American Health Organization website at: http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4379&Itemid=1926

Photo: Canada Combat Camera - MCpl David Hardwick
Canadian Forces work to reconstruct some of the sewage infrastructure following the Haitian earthquake.

Amazing Rescue

You would have to be living in a mine not to have been aware of the 33 trapped miners in Chile and their rescue occurring as I write. Watching the first miner as he exited the rescue cage and hugged his son on live TV was a special moment.

Over a thousand personnel have worked around the clock for more than 2 months for this day.

For more information on this amazing rescue including video go to: www.cnn.com

Monkeys Protecting Commonwealth Games

When rogue monkeys or snakes threaten the peace of the competators and spectators the Commonwealth Games organizers in India call in the Langur monkeys and their handlers. The Langur monkeys chase away other monkeys who may target people and their property, as well as snakes and stray dogs.

Photo: Reuters / Parivartan Sharma

Lockdown Play By Play on Facebook

Several times we have written about the impact of social media on emergency management, both in our blog and in our newsletters.

Today was a perfect example. A high speed chase following an armed robbery ended in the parking lot of my niece's high school in Michigan. The driver fled into the school which was immediately placed into a lockdown.

My niece was in the computer lab at the time and started to post on Facebook, giving a play by play of what she was experiencing. Friends, both in the school and outside the school posted their comments. Parents were posting their worries. And all of this was in real time while the event was occurring.

Two and a half hours after the lockdown was implemented my niece was posting how boring it was getting... then the lockdown was lifted.

Facebook, twitter and other social media are transforming emergency management, both how information is communicated to the public, but also how the public (in this case my niece and her friends) respond to the incident.

It was an interesting read. Times are changing.

Mega Bus Crash Kills Four

Earlier this year I travelled with the Training Officer of a professional fire department to the facilities of a coach line that operates the double decker "megabus". We spent a couple of hours learning about these buses, their safety features, and looking at the added complexities for emergency services in responding to a collision involving one of these buses.

The most obvious difference is that a standard bus will carry 50-54 passengers, while the mega bus has a capacity of 84 passengers. The lower deck is lower than the seating in a traditional coach, as there is not any luggage storage below the seating. The second level is accessed through two (one forward and one mid-frame) steep stairways similar to a mini spiral staircase creating extrication complications.

While I'm only aware of one Canadian carrier using these buses, running between Toronto, Montreal and New York City, the increased use of these buses will no doubt grow as more passengers can be carried for approximately the same operational costs.

Emergency services need to become familiar with the challenges and the potential for larger numbers of casualties involved in bus crashes.
On September 11, 2010 a megabus being driven into a low bridge killed 4 passengers and injured two dozen others in New York state.
The attached news article (link), references two other megabus crashes in New York state the last 12 months.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/859778--canadians-safe-after-n-y-bus-crash?bn=1

Risks All Around Us

This past week I had opportunity to spend 8 days in Coronado / San Diego on a business trip. A beautiful city with great weather year round. But while we were there the media was reporting three earthquakes in the area in the 4.0 and 4.1 range in a three day period.

While we didn't feel them, it was a stark reminder of the risks that we all face from one risk or another. It is not healthy to be paranoid, but it is important to be prepared.

Each person, family, organization and government should take time to identify the hazards in their area, evaluate the risks, determine if you can reduce or prevent risks, establish a plan and the resources to respond, and breath a little easier knowing that you will be better prepared.

Terrorism Arrests in Ottawa

It is only a matter of time before we have another major terrorism attack in Canada (e.g. Air India attack originated in BC).

Here are links to some of the articles on these arrests today:

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2010/08/25/15137356.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/08/25/ottawa-rcmp-arrests.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/852264--two-arrested-in-ottawa-in-alleged-terror-plot?bn=1

June Earthquake Caused Gov't Website to Crumble

The Toronto Star has an interesting article about the June 23 earthquake. Although the earthquake did very little property damage, the public desire for information caused Natural Resources Canada's website to crash.

People today frequently turn to the internet more than the main stream media for immediate information on emergencies, disasters and potential disasters. When this occurred on June 23 the government website crashed.

While the article does not say whether or not the website had any useful or updated information on it, it is an indicator to all levels of government that people will be turning to their websites for information in a crisis. Are the websites robust enough to handle the increased traffic, are they updated quickly and is the information useful?

Check out the article at:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/851058--june-earthquake-did-more-damage-online-than-on-the-ground

Helping Our Helpers Stay Healthy

The Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists www.atss.info is hosting a conference in Toronto, September 30 to October 2 - "Safely in Our Hands: Helping Our Helpers Stay Healthy". The line up of speakers and topics looks very interesting.

Traumatic stress is real and affects many on the front lines: paramedics, police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, dispatchers and those in the military. These are the women and men who see, hear, and deal with events the average person cannot even imagine. And sometimes it is hard to get out of the back of your mind.

While personally I've been at major traumas of adults including decapitations, transections, drownings, stabbings, shootings, 95% burns, (and on the list could go) which have never bothered me, it was the calls involving children that bothered me. My first child death, the young girl who burned in her closet while the neighbours and firefighters tried to break down her bedroom door which her mother had locked that haunted me. We tried in vain to resuscitate the 4 year old who was covered totally in burns... I still remember, as if it was today, her skin sticking to my hands and arms as I worked on her and having to peel it off after. While it no longer wakes me in the night, it does bring tears 27 years later when I think about it. There were other calls as well, but this was the first for a young 21 year old paramedic. Yes, traumatic stress is very real. And while most of us hid it very well to the outside world (but burdened our families with the effects) and carried on with our chosen careers, it did get the better of some. Alcohol, drugs, depression, anger, and even suicide has been caused to some degree by the stresses on the job.

My complements to this organization. If it were not for previous commitments I would be attending this seminar.

For more information on the seminar go to www.atss.info.

Friday the 13th

For some, Friday the 13th is a movie series. For others it is a ritual.

Today is the 50th Ride of the Friday the 13th motorcycle ride into Port Dover, a little town of 5,500 on the north shore of Lake Erie.

Each Friday the 13th for the past 29 years, bikers have been riding into town, sun, rain, sleet or snow. The event started with 25 bikers. In recent years more than 50,000 bikes and over 100,000 people (many non-bikers come to walk the streets and share in the event) have converged on the town to spend the day. Being the 50th Ride and with great weather, it is anticipated that as many as 100,000 bikes and more than 200,000 people may be attending today.

While the event is generally peaceful, from time to time there are motor vehicle collisions involving bikes. But emergency planners should plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Has a proper HIRA been done?
Some potential risks: food poisoning or other mass illness, multiple casualty motor vehicle accident, significant act of violence (e.g. shooting), weather related events (thunder storms, tornado), fire in a local establishment, water system failure, etc.

Are the emergency services and allied agencies using IMS and a unified command?

And the planning questions could go on and on.

I just wish I had time to ride my bike to Port Dover to be there.

Oil / Gas Drilling Disasters Nothing New

The following is a commentary by Dr. David Suzuki


"The explosion on BP's Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico and subsequent uncontrolled release of millions of litres of oil a day is a monumental disaster. But why are we surprised? Oil drilling and transportation are not like brain surgery; they involve brute technology to obtain and move crude oil, and oil is slopped around in this process every day. Over the years, numerous major spills have occurred on land, from drilling platforms at sea, and after collisions and breakups of ships.

Back in 1967, the Torrey Canyon spilled 117 million litres of crude oil off Cornwall, England. In 1976, the Argo Merchant dumped 29 million litres of fuel oil off Massachusetts. A blow-out at the offshore Ekofisk Bravo platform in 1977 released about 30 million litres into the North Sea in 1977, and the Amoco Cadiz dumped 260 million litres off France in 1978. We've seen oil spilled in dozens of other collisions, blowouts, deliberate releases (in 1991, Iraq released up to 1.9 billion litres of crude oil into the Persian Gulf), and storms (in 2005, hurricane Katrina caused the release of more than 25 million litres). Closer to home, in 1970, the Arrow spilled almost 10 million litres into Chedabucto Bay in Nova Scotia, and in 1988, the Odyssey dumped 159 million litres off St. John's, Newfoundland. And in 1989, the Exxon Valdez spilled over 40 million litres into the pristine waters of Prince William Sound off the Alaska coast."

For the full story: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2010/06/our-oil-addiction-has-always-been-messy/

For other related stories go to: www.davidsuzuki.org

Toronto Police Release G20 Wanted Pics

Toronto Police have released photos of several criminals that were involved in G20 violence, looking for public assistance in their identification.

To see the photos go to: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/media/text/20100714-g20_top_ten.pdf


Additional information is available at http://www.torontopolice.ca/

G8 / G20

Having returned from a successful Huntsville G8 assignment, it is disappointing to see the violence caused by a group of criminals posing as protesters at the Toronto G20.

In a blog posting (May 1, 2010) we spoke about some of the planning and tactics being undertaken by Black Bloc organizers. Unfortunately, many media reporters are acting like the actions of these criminals is a total surprise. And of course, the sensationalism of some media outlets makes it appear that the entire city is under siege. While some incidents escallated quickly it was contained to a small section of a very large city.

From our perspective we would like to congratulate the police on their restraint and professional handling of situations that have the potential to be very dangerous. Over the next few days many analysts, including the media, governments and those within the police services, will review and re-review the occurrences in Toronto over the past couple of days.

The Huntsville G8 operation was extremely impressive. The level of detail and size of the operation took many months of inter-agency planning and coordination. I'm sure the logistics for Toronto were equally daunting. Well done to all those involved.

Emergency Preparedness for Long Term Care & Retirement Homes Seminar

Emergency Management & Training Inc. is proud to host the second annual Emergency Preparedness for Long Term Care and Retirement Homes seminar - September 15 & 16, 2010.

This seminar is 50% SOLD OUT!!! as of June 19.

This intensive 2 day seminar is designed for Owners, CEOs, Administrators, Directors of Care, Department Managers, Health & Safety officers, and Emergency Planners.

Long Term Care Facilities, Retirement Homes and Special Care Homes have a special responsibility to their clients and residents. Poorly handled emergencies can result in injury/death to residents/clients, critical media attention, governmental or police investigations, disciplinary action for employees, civil liability, and even criminal charges for Corporate Directors, Administrators and Managers.

Emergency Management & Training Inc. is hosting this 2 day seminar to assist facilities in the development and enhancement of their emergency plans and training programs.

What are the leading risks in Long Term Care and Retirement facilities? Fire! Missing residents! Violent / Aggressive persons! Power Interruptions! What are the vulnerabilities specific to your facility?

Topics covered in this special seminar will include:

• New MOHLTC standards for emergency procedures
• Incident Management System
• Code White (workplace violence)
• Code Yellow (missing person)
• Code Red (fire and explosions)
• Code Black (bomb threat)
• Emergencies external to your site
• An overview of other emergencies
• Media communication strategies
• Communicating with Stakeholders
• Implementing your plan
• Training staff on emergency plans
• Emergency exercises (table top, functional, full scale and evacuations)

Participants will work through the process of developing a procedure for their facility.

Registration includes: emergency preparedness seminar, lunch and snacks each day, special speakers, workbook, certificate of attendance.

This jam packed 2 day seminar is only $699.

Save $100 on registrations received by June 30, 2010

Register by June 30, 2010 for $599.

Lunch and snacks included!

Space is limited. Register TODAY!

Free gift for the first 12 registrants.

To register: Send an email to dculley@emergencymgt.com


Date: September 15 & 16, 2010

Location:
Novotel Toronto Vaughan Centre
200 Bass Pro Mills Dr.
Vaughan ON L4K 0B9
Room reservations 1.905.761.0847

Discounted room rate $149 if reserved by August 15, 2010.


Seminar Speakers include:



Wieslawa Stepkowska is the Assistant Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer of a 391 bed Long Term Care facility which also provides a multitude of Community Services programs for the elderly in a culturally sensitive environment.

Wieslawa holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and is a Registered Dietitian. She is also a Certified Long Term Care Administrator and is a member of the Canadian College of Health Services Executives.

She is an emergency management champion and was the catalyst in the development of the Emergency Management System for her facility and is responsible for communication, implementation and staff training.


Antonio Ferreira is the Manger of Environmental Services, as well as Fire Safety Officer at a 391 bed Long Term Care facility in Toronto.

Over the last 20+ years, Antonio’s Facility Management career evolved in such distinguished organizations as Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Bishop Strachan School - the oldest and one of the most prestigious day and boarding schools for girls in Toronto.

Antonio brings a comprehensive knowledge of building operations and emergency systems including HVAC Systems, safety and building control systems and Fire Alarm Systems. Antonio was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Emergency Management System at a large LTC facility and continues to be responsible for Staff Safety Education in the facility.

You will find Antonio’s training as the Fire Safety Officer and a solid hands-on knowledge of Emergency and Disaster Planning valuable as he demonstrates his training program.


Darryl Culley is the President of Emergency Management & Training Inc. (EMT) and has 28 years of emergency services leadership and health care administration.

In addition to his extensive emergency management background, Darryl was the CEO/Administrator of a 157 bed independent Long Term Care/Retirement facility for 6 years. The combined backgrounds brings unique insight into emergency preparedness planning / training for Long Term Care and Retirement Homes

Darryl has lead EMT’s role in major emergency management projects for organizations including Public Health Canada, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, ORNGE, Sunnybrook Osler Centre for Prehospital Care and various health care facilities.


Terry Blace is a media relations specialist, a former Sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police with 35 years experience, including 14 years in the Corporate Communications Bureau at OPP Headquarters in Orillia. Terry has dealt with both local and national media outlets, managing/handling crises communications for the OPP.

Terry will be speaking on crisis communications strategies.

Register today by sending an email to dculley@emergencymgt.com

G20 Survival Guide

An interesting article from the Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/825713--g20-survival-guide

One of their points - if you are headed down to see the action bring earplugs, gas mask and a camera...

Fences and the G20

Fences are used by security personnel for several reason, separate authorized persons from unauthorized persons, direct pedestrian traffic, create a psychological barrier as well as the physical barrier, stop or slow assaults on the area being protected, etc.

Fences and the extent of the fencing for the G8 and G20 have been the focus of many media stories. Here are a few of the links



http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/825908--fortress-toronto-secrets-of-the-fence?bn=1

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/news/huntsville-revelling-in-50-million-worth-of-g8-summit-largesse/article1595633/?service=mobile

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/video/g20-fence-going-up/article1595590/

Black Bloc gets media attention

In an earlier post on May 1 (see below) we identified some of the tactics of the Black Bloc and their potential threat to the G8/G20.

The CBC has now published a short story on the Black Bloc but for more details scan down to May 1 in this blog.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/06/14/black-bloc.html

Another story identifies some of the groups that will be protesting at the meetings:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/06/04/f-g8-g20-protesters.html

JTF2 Protecting G8 / G20 Leaders

One of the world's most respected anti-terrorist units, the Canadian Forces JTF2 will be involved in protecting the world's leaders attending the G8 and G20. In light of the potential threats to this type of event their deployment was to be expected, but the Toronto Star has an article about the unit's role.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/822674--commandos-prepare-for-summits-in-the-shadows?bn=1

Photo from Canadian Forces Combat Camera - special operations training exercise

Intershutz 2010 photos

Intershutz 2010

It is like a pilgrimage, travelling to Germany to the world's largest Fire, EMS and Emergency Management exhibition. Held once every 5 years, Intershutz creates an excitement amongst emergency responders from across the world. It was an event that we had to experience so three of the Emergency Management & Training team members made the trek and our expectations were met and exceeded.

Intershutz 2005 attracted more than 135,000 attendees and after attending this week it is easy to believe that 2010 will have just as many.

There was more than 145,000 sq. metres (1.5 Million sq. feet) of indoor show space (yes, Indoor) in 7 buildings and 70,000 sq. metres of outdoor show space with 1,200 different displays. Demonstrations and competitions were scheduled throughout the event.

Dozens of fire apparatus manufacturers from around the world displayed hundreds of trucks including; a 350 ft tall Bronto (world record holder), airport crash trucks, pumpers, rescues, aerials, robot vehicles, mobile command centres, quick response vehicles and much more. The latest innovations in all types of firefighting, hazmat, rescue, training, and other equipment was on display.

For EMS professionals there were dozens of ambulances, buses, response cars and support units on display with the latest in medical and response equipment. Even Demiers, a Canadian ambulance manufacturer had a booth in the Canadian pavilion.

Emergency management displays included everything from water treatment equipment to SAR dogs, mobile hospitals to CBRN detection equipment, and much more.

The most advanced dispatch, communications, resource tracking and GIS systems were on display. Industrial and building fire protection technologies addressed everything from residential housing to large oil refineries and even transportation systems for railways, ships, and aircraft.

We had the opportunity to meet other professionals from all across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Intershutz closes today after a week long run, but will return in 2015. Personally I'm marking my calendar.

With over 400 photos from Intershutz we will only post a few to get you thinking about attending in 2015.

Gulf Coast Disaster and Major Corporations

The continuing story of the BP oil rig disaster in the Gulf Coast is like a horror movie in slow motion. Workers killed and injured, clean up crew members becoming ill, environmental destruction of unimaginable proportions, and economic impacts that will be felt for years to come.

We rely on international companies to be good and ethical corporate citizens but their priorities are to maximize profits. Maximizing profits sometimes means taking risks, focusing on production over safety, and playing down the potential impacts of system failures.

When the Icelandic volcano erupted we included a link to a commentary about an airline flying directly into the closed airspace while petitioning governments to open the airports. The airports were opened while the fully loaded passenger jets were making approaches. Was this a calculated risk in minimize economic losses by the airline?

Automobile manufacturers have suppressed the reports of safety issues including accelerators sticking, fuel tanks subject to explosion, break system failures, etc.

Some coal mining companies have continued to operate with high levels of safety infractions.

Banks knowingly take bets against their own products and loan more funds than they have access to.

Food processing companies and recently a major pharmaceutical company have been in the media for poor quality assurance monitoring processes, poor housekeeping practices and producing products not fit for consumption.

And we could go on and on of major incidents that have occurred, most in North America, over the past couple of years.

A few years earlier, one of the most respected companies at the time, Enron, was creating massive power failures to create the appearance of electricity shortages in order to drive up the electricity rates for the power systems they controlled.

The lesson... just because there is a large, appearing successful corporation doesn't mean everything is above board - the resulting impact can be a Disaster.

For on-going updates on the gulf crisis check the Reuters media outlet:

http://www.reuters.com/subjects/gulf-oil-spill

Tornado's 25th Anniversary

Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the F4 tornado's that struck Grand Valley and Barrie killing 12 people and injuring more than 240. The tornado had winds estimated at 400 km per hour.

That day a series of 40 tornado's struck Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario.

The "Barrie Tornado" was a significant event in emergency management in Ontario as it brought to the forefront the dangerous potential tornado's in Ontario.

For additional information check out this link:
http://www.ontariostorms.com/1985/barrie/

Active Hurricane Season Predicted

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) is predicting a busy hurricane season in the Atlantic.


“If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. “The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared.”

"it's important that families and businesses in coastal communities take steps now to be ready. These include developing a communications plan, putting together a kit, and staying informed of the latest forecasts and local emergency plans. You can't control when a hurricane or other emergency may happen, but you can make sure you're ready."

This is pertinent advice to coastal communities from Texas to Newfoundland and Labrador. Severe hurricanes can move inland hundreds of kilometers with heavy rain, high winds and even tornadoes causing extensive flooding, power failures and other related disruptions.

For the 2010 hurricane forecast and up to date Atlantic storm information check out the NOAA website at http://www.noaa.gov/

Road and Railway Blockades Threatened

Over the past few years, First Nations peoples have established a National Day of Action each summer to protest and make known their grievances with the provincial and federal governments. In previous years these protests have included blocking traffic on Hwy 401 and other highways along with blockages of rail lines.

This year, coinciding with the G8/G20 a group called Red Power United is calling for First Nations communities to protest on June 24 (Thursday before the G8/G20). A website and Facebook page have called for demonstrations at Queens Park in Toronto, the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, and to shut down highways and railways across the province. One entry states that a highway between Hamilton and Toronto will be closed and calls for First Nations people to coordinate other highway closures with each other.

Anger over the HST and its impacts to First Nations people, land claim disputes, fishing / hunting rights, natural resource disputes etc. will be some of the issues being publicized with the protests.

Travel plans in Ontario for June 24??? Bring your patience and alternate route map along with you...

Small Volcano Teaches Big Lessons

When Emergency Planners in Europe were developing their business plans it is unlikely that they were considering a volcano in Iceland. It is not actually critical to identify each and every risk... but to consider the operations that your organization depends on and their disruption.

European planners could have easily examined various transportation disruptions (for whatever reason) and looked at the implications. What if there is no air traffic for a week? What if there is no train traffic for a week? What if the main highway is blocked for a week? Regardless of the cause, one can start to look at the business continuity implications of various transportation risks, communications risks, other infrastructure failures, etc.

Attached is a link to an interesting article in the New Zealand news about an African organization looking at the impact of the Icelandic volcano on European business continuity planning (now if that is not a truly international series of linkages...).

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article466210.ece/Small-volcano-teaches-world-big-lesson


"The only thing that is certain is that there will be more crises, whether due to natural causes, climate change-related or man-made ones such as the recent financial crisis."

G8 / G20 Costs Reach $833 Million

The largest security exercise in Canadian history will cost more than $833 Million dollars. With security concerns ranging from protests to terrorists all efforts are being taken to ensure that the summits are safe.

Some have suggested that such a meeting should be held on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean which might have been far less expensive and have less security issues.

For a video news clip on the newly released security budget go to:


http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100525/g8-g20-security-bill-100525/20100525?hub=TopStoriesV2

Photo: June 17 2002, Kananaskis AB - G8 Summit

Air Defence Anti Tank system and Bombadier Tyler Twohig of 4 AD Regiment based out of Moncton NB deployed as part of Operation GRIZZLY. Operation GRIZZLY was the name of the Canadian Forces support to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the RCMP for the G8 Conference in Kananaskis AB in 2002.
Photo: Sgt. David Snashall Canadian Forces Combat Camera

G8 Transforms Huntsville

Eight of the world's most powerful leaders will be arriving in Huntsville (pop. 19,000) in less than 4 weeks, transforming the quiet vacation destination into a world stage. Along with the leaders, their entourages, thousands of security personnel, media, protesters and those who are just interested in seeing what is going on will descend on Huntsville more than doubling the small communities population.

For an interesting article on the impacts that Huntsville is seeing

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/813043--g8-brings-trepidation-in-huntsville

Anarchists bomb bank - threaten G8/G20

Back on May 1st we wrote about Anarchists and Black Bloc protest tactics and how some groups were preparing for the G20.

Canada has seen protests before and small riots before, but some groups are proclaiming that they are going to take things up a notch... and they set an example in Ottawa by fire bombing a bank accusing the bank of supporting the Winter Olympics (yes, this is now May and the Olympics ended in February) referring to the disagreements that some First Nations people had with the land claim issues in British Columbia.

Emergency planners for Huntsville and Toronto take note.

You can be sure that security planners are taking this threat very seriously... and you can be sure that a very small portion of the anarchists are looking for confrontation and will create it.

Here is a story on the Ottawa fire bombing.


http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/811291--anarchist-group-claims-responsibility-for-ottawa-bank-firebombing


http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/05/18/13988216.html

Florida Trip Turns Tragic

This past week I had opportunity to travel to Florida to inspect a new mobile command post / emergency support unit before it is delivered to Ontario. While on the trip we had opportunity to meet up with a group from Ottawa Fire who were at the same manufacturer and were staying at our hotel. They were there inspecting and training on a new Bronto fire apparatus.

We had opportunity to go out to dinner with the Ottawa team the first night, swap stories around the pool, and meet for breakfasts. Unfortunately on the 3rd day of the trip one of the Ottawa contingent passed away in the night.

Maynard McEwan was well respected by his peers who were devastated by his passing.

Our deepest sympathies to Maynard's family and co-workers. He was only 59.


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Fire+service+suffers+loss+mechanical+officer/3020820/story.html

G8 / G20 - Where will the protests be?

With the G8 in Huntsville and the G20 in Toronto - protest groups have to determine where they will get the most attention and most are choosing Toronto.

With the potential of 40,000 protesters people in Huntsville are breathing a little easier. It doesn't mean that there won't be issues, but the large numbers of people initially expected at the G8 will be significantly reduced.

An interesting article on the decisions being made by protest groups can be found at

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/810103--leaders-papier-mache-heads-to-appear-at-g20-not-g8

Bomb Threat on Vancouver Bound Jet

Canadian Forces CF18s escorted a Cathay Pacific jet with 200 passengers to the Vancouver airport following a bomb threat.

For the story go to thestar.com link below.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/810111--bomb-threat-forces-fighter-jets-to-escort-plane-to-vancouver?bn=1

Canadian Technology to save lives in earthquakes

In collaboration with the University of Ottawa, National Research Council Canada (NRC) is developing high performance structures that incorporate high performance concrete and advanced composite materials to help make critical structures more shock-resistant. The materials are made of fibre-reinforced polymers. By adding a shock absorber, the new construction materials could improve the safety of critical infrastructure in Canada and around the world.

As well as developing new technology, NRC indicated that they are developing a risk management approach, which involves identifying public infrastructure that is critical. The goal would then be to incorporate shock-resistant materials into key structures at critical stress points—such as the load-bearing columns holding up a highway overpass—in order to provide adequate strength and safety margins, and extend their service life.

After NRC's new building materials and systems have been fully evaluated, including testing that simulates the effects of blast or heavy impacts, they will be made available to Canadian companies and critical infrastructure owners.

Check out the NRC website at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/index.html

Haiti earthquake: Update on Canadians

On May 4 Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada indicated that 1,911 Canadians have been located; 0 Canadians are unaccounted for; 4,620 have been evacuated on 49 flights; and 58 have been confirmed dead.

In other news today: CBC reported that high winds and blowing snow on May 4 & 5 again knocked out power to southern Alberta, this time, 50,000 homes were without electricity. The storm affected Calgary and surrounding areas with Taber and Medicine Hat experiencing the most blackouts.

G8/G20 and Protesters

"Day to day, the tentacles of global capitalism threaten to choke the life from us, and opportunities to attack its nucleus rarely present themselves. Rest assured that when the G20 comes within striking distance this June, we won’t miss."

The above quote is from an anarchist website promoting protests in Toronto this June.

Major meetings of global leaders also bring protesters of many different causes, most peaceful but others intent on creating confrontation. A movement of protesters referred to as the Black Bloc has appeared at major events including previous G8 and G20 meetings and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, dressed in black with their faces covered. (The photos attached are from the Vancouver Olympics earlier this year.)

Black Bloc is not a group, but a method of protest. Internet website provide instructions for Black Bloc protesters including: clothing recommendations to participate in the Black Bloc, “unarresting” or freeing someone who has been arrested, “de-bloc’ing” (tactics to change appearance and fade into the background), defeating police tactics, defensive weapons, etc. Instructions on attacks of police lines, counter-attacks, diversionary moves, flanking, creating barricades to stop police (including burning vehicles), and other tactics are also on these websites.

While, confrontational groups make up a small percentage of the 40,000 anticipated protesters, that still leaves a significant potential for violence, vandalism, and crowd management issues.

And don't expect it to be a one day event. One website states "We strongly encourage all those who would fight alongside us to also support the other actions called for from the 21st through the 27th."

It may be a long hot week in June...

Fuel truck explosion

We see them driving up and down the highway everyday, refueling our local gas stations. Fortunately the safety record is extremely good. But when something does happen it can be a major event. Today in Montreal they were lucky... one injury.


http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/04/27/13740416-cp.html

Volcano Impacts - an intersting perspective

This week Rosie DiManno, a columnist with the Toronto Star published an interesting article on the Volcano in Iceland and the impacts it has had. She has some interesting comments on British Airway's decision to fly when other airlines were grounded. Risk vs Revenue...

Check out the article at
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/798364--dimanno-british-airways-took-a-risk-sending-planes-to-the-u-k

California Quake Warnings Getting Closer to Home

Authorities have warned that if Sunday's earthquake along the Mexican / US border struck in Los Angeles there would have been hundreds of fires and immeasurable losses.

Check out the New York Times article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/us/06plan.html

Canadian Air Marshals

Today's Toronto Star has an interesting article on the RCMP's Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program - better known as Air Marshals.

While the US Air Marshal program has been well known and publicized, the Canadian equivalent has been kept low key.

To read the article go to:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/789883--air-marshals-canada-s-secret-weapons-in-war-on-terror?bn=1

Durham Region Train Derailments - 6 in 6 years

There has been another train derailment in Durham Region this week. It is the 6th in 6 years along the 401 corridor from Pickering to Oshawa.

While railways are generally safe, when there is a derailment it has the potential to become a significant event. 12% of rail traffic carries dangerous goods.

Even with the number of train derailments in the area, we would ask how many organizations including schools and daycare, businesses and families have a plan to evacuate.

If you live within 1.6 km of a high speed railway you should be thinking about your evacuation plans including weekdays, evenings, nights, etc.

For the Toronto Star article go to: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/788421--durham-s-derailment-dilemma