The Town of Okotoks is working to have a solid plan in reserve in case of a disaster.
Approximately 30 reservists from the 41 Canadian Brigade Group from across Alberta were in Okotoks on Saturday for Operation Domestic Ram II, a simulation of command quarters that would be used in case of an emergency.
“We are here to practice how we would respond to a domestic emergency,” said Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Wilson. “We are not the primary responders, that would be fire and all the other departments in the city of Okotoks.
“What we are practicing is how we can integrate in case of an emergency – Where do they need the extra help.”
The reservists set up shop at a command centre at Lakeview Suites. As well, a mobile command centre was established at the hotel’s parking lot where reservists’ strategized how they would help the community – similar as to what would happen in the case of a real disaster.
They used a flood scenario for Saturday’s drills.
“One of the scenarios we are working with is one of the retirement homes is in a flood zone,” Wilson said. “We are going to figure out how we can assist in the evacuation plan the retirement home already has.”
The reserves are ready to help. They were at the ready to assist at the Fort McMurray fires last spring, but the Province had pulled in enough fire personnel from across Alberta to handle the situation.
That was not the case in 2013 when floods ravaged southern Alberta, including parts of Calgary and virtually all of High River.
“We were given an area in Calgary that was our responsibility,” said Wilson, who lives in Edmonton. “As reservists, we are not the first ones to come in (from the military). The full-time soldiers were the first ones to come in. They came to High River right away.
“Within about 72 hours, that is when the reservists came in.
“Remember, as reservists we all have a day job… We need about a 72-hour window (to get ready). We are part of the recovery.”
It’s the Town and the Province that runs the show. The reserves are, literally, the boots on the ground.
“The Town of Okotoks has a great plan,” he said. “We can look at the plan and say ‘how can we help out.’ The Town can look at where the problems may be, it could be evacuations and going door to door.
“We have lots of people, maybe we can do that.”
The fact the training session is close to home is not lost on the reservist. They are always ready to serve their country, but disasters like the Fort Mac fire and the 2013 flood are just outside their front doors.
“We are reservists and we are all part of this community,” Wilson said.
“I am an Albertan, this is where I live, this is where my family is. If there is a problem, all of us (the reservists) want to be here.”
Scott Roberts, Okotoks protective services director, is glad to have the reservists help – and take the time from family to help Okotoks prepare in case of a disaster.
“One of my responsibilities is to make sure we have the right relationship in place, that if we face an event of a large proportion, what our resources are and have a relationship in formally getting the military here,” said Roberts, who is also Okotoks’ director of emergency management.
At Saturday’s drill, Roberts was working on the procedure of getting the military to help in the event of a disaster and how the reservists would be utilized.
“When they come to Okotoks, I provide them with tasking and within their military grouping, they provide the response to the task.”
The drill on Saturday is to ensure things go as smooth as possible in the event of a disaster.
“It’s a matter of understanding abilities so we can manage expectations,” Roberts said.
