gprep.ca

By Liam Verster

Emergency Preparedness

GPREP prepares for 2020, proposes change to bylaw

Feb 25, 2020 | 1:19 PM

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) is continuing training and recruitment efforts, to ensure there are proper responses to large scale emergencies or disasters in the region.

GPREP is the joint partnership between the County and City of Grande Prairie, the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, and the Village of Hythe. Together, they all respond to large scale emergencies or disasters affecting the area.

At Monday’s County Council Meeting, Program Coordinator for GPREP, Jennifer Wood, said they are continuing their training programs to respond to emergencies and prepare for receiving evacuees, as well as ensuring equipment and services are available during an emergency.

There have also been some changes in the Emergency Management Act in the previous year, and Wood says they are presenting a bylaw change to all the partners, starting with the County.

“We’re making changes to meet the requirements of the new Emergency Management Act and regulations. And so basically it’s more clearly outlining everybody’s roles, because the more clear we can be, the better when we’re in those kinds of situations.”

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She says GPREP already does a great job responding to emergency and disaster situations, but this change in bylaw is just a way to improve, and ensure they are meeting the regulatory and legislative requirements.

GPREP has been activated for several emergencies, including last year’s Chuckegg Creek wildfire, where close to a thousand evacuees from Northwest Alberta were provided with food, shelter and support within the region. GPREP has also been used during floods in Sexsmith, Grande Prairie and Hythe in 2017.

Wood says they are working to ensure everyone is properly trained for these situations, and is also involving the staff from the municipalities, to make sure their training is up to date and equipment is ready in case of a sudden emergency.