At the Creighton town council meeting on Wed Oct. 28, Beverly Erickson, northern community outreach coordinator for the Red Cross, spoke to town councillors about the organization’s Personal Disaster Assistance Program. This program mobilizes a trained network of volunteers to support victims of personal disasters, like house fires, by covering their basic needs for up to 72 hours.
Erickson explained that the Red Cross aims to establish a team of volunteers in the Flin Flon and Creighton area by June 2016.
Erickson requested the support of council before she sought out partnerships with local first responders. In other areas, first responders often hand out the regional Personal Disaster Assistance number (1-888-800-6493 in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) to victims of disasters.
Erickson noted that after she presented to the City of Flin Flon, city council issued a resolution of support for the program.
Erickson added that she would be reaching out to leaders in Denare Beach and Cranberry Portage as well.
In response to a question from Ald. Shirley Owen about the training process for Personal Disaster Assistance Program volunteers, Erickson outlined a training and screening process, which includes a vulnerable sector check and extensive training in emergency first aid, disaster management and self-care for volunteers.
She added that training sessions for volunteers are paid for by The Red Cross.
“You are going to probably encounter some pretty serious stuff,” Erickson said, “So we want to make sure we are taking care of volunteers.”
Erickson noted that the Red Cross could find a place for anyone who was interested in helping, regardless of age or fitness level.
Following the presentation, Ald. Lorene Bonnett moved that council write a letter of support for the Red Cross initiative. Council carried the motion.
Economic development
Also at the Oct. 28 meeting, council agreed to send Mayor Bruce Fidler to attend the Municipal Development Leadership MDL Course on Municipal Economic Development in Porcupine Plain on November 17 of this year.
Community donations
Council agreed to donate $100 to the Creighton Community School’s Let’s Read Committee, and purchase the $150 Bronze Sponsorship package from the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association.
Wastewater report
Council reviewed a report from Barry Wright at Water Security Agency, who completed an inspection of the town’s wastewater system in mid-October. The report indicated that the system was generally in compliance with provincial standards.
In a letter to town administrator Paula Muench, Wright outlined his recommendations, indicating that the turbidimeter needed to be recalibrated and noting that “exceedances” had occurred in sewage effluent samples.
Wright added that he had discussed with Fidler additional testing, investigations and remediations that might help eliminate the latter issue, and requested that some of these investigations be complete by the end of next summer.
