By paNOW

Emergency management prepared for disaster in PA

Jul 9, 2013 | 6:12 AM

What if an explosion happened in Prince Albert, or a major flood or other natural disaster, would we be prepared?

After major floods in Calgary and Toronto and a train derailment that caused a massive explosion in Lac-Megantic, Que., many are left to wonder what if that happened here.

Les Karpluk, Chief of the Prince Albert Fire Department, said that while some scenarios may not be fully outlined in their disaster management plans, the city is still ready for any event.

“If something like [the train derailment] happened, we’re going to have to evacuate, we’ve got procedures in place for that,” said Karpluk. “As far as reception center goes, we’d be dealing with the Red Cross emergency social services, because the evacuation is going to be significant.”

He added the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) would be activated through City Hall, which involves multiple agencies throughout the city.

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Karpluk said the EOC offers everything needed to assist in a disaster situation.

“The sole purpose of the emergency operation center is to give the people the resources and the equipment they need to deal with the scene of the incident,” said Karpluk. “When you activate the emergency operation center everyone is getting in there and has a role to play.”

Karpluk said there are a few disaster scenarios that have been planned for in the city.

“We’ve got aircraft accident, we’ve got blizzard, we’ve got dangerous good incidents, we’ve got hazards, and flooding and tornadoes,” said Karpluk. “We don’t have anything for train derailment but this type of incident would be a hazardous materials response, so evacuation procedures would be the same for any of these.”

Karpluk added that an incident like what happened in Lac-Megantic would more than likely deplete any small community’s emergency management supplies quickly.

In the Lac-Megantic train explosion, 13 people have been confirmed dead by authorities while 50 are still unaccounted for.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim