STOUGHTON — Stoughton and area communities held their second annual emergency measures organization (EMO) barbecue on May 5 at the Stoughton Tecumseh Fire Hall.
Just like last year, the barbecue was to be held at the Green Space on Main Street in Stoughton, but the winds were so strong that day it was moved to the fire hall.
This did not stop 80 people from coming out and enjoying a burger or two.
The fire and rescue trucks were parked outside alongside the ambulance, and this gave young children the opportunity to hear the sirens and look inside the new fire truck that was purchased last year.
The barbecue that took place was a social event for many, but it was also a chance to provide them with packages of information on the EMO.
The EMO serves the town of Stoughton, the villages of Heward and Forget, and the RM of Tecumseh.
They hold three meetings a year to discuss important issues on how to handle an emergency if one should arise.
Shirley Coderre, the organizer and a Stoughton town council member, has been on the committee for several years, and she has put a great deal of work into the EMO to make sure that everyone understands the importance of their roles in the group.
There are 18 people on the committee and Stoughton town clerk Jade Larose put a binder together with all the important names, phone numbers and materials needed in case of an emergency. She also keeps the binder up to date.
The binder is meticulously put together, with all the phone numbers of health-care providers, motels, contractors, food supplies, schools, maps of the areas, veterinarians and evacuation centres that could be used.
An emergency that could involve this group includes a fire, a tornado, power outage during a blizzard or a vehicle accident that involves many injuries.
An emergency act is only invoked after it is determined that the situation is beyond the capacity or the resources of the local EMS to handle.
When a situation comes up that is extreme, the regional and provincial EMO authorities should be consulted before a state of emergency is declared. An emergency declaration is made by the mayor of the town or the reeve of the R.M. that is affected.
Once an emergency declaration is put in place, it stays for seven days and can be renewed; this is also when funding is released from the government.
In the event of an emergency, the committee will gather at the designated area, which is the RM of Tecumseh office building in Stoughton, and all have an assigned job to take care of.
Many volunteers will be needed during an emergency. Jobs could include running water out to firefighters or bringing warm blankets to a crash site.
Anyone interested in more information on this committee can contact the Stoughton town office.
