HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 12-05PICKERING
REPORT TO
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Report Number: CAO 12-05
Date: October 24, 2005
From:
Thomas J. Quinn
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject:
Public Alerting
- Installation of Sirens and Related Matters
File: S-5600-010
Recommendations:
1. That Report CAO 12-05, concerning the installation of public alerting sirens and
related matters be received.
That the Commissioner of Emergency Management Ontario and the Region of
Durham be advised that the City agrees with the Commissioner's proposal to
have four sirens installed in the Pickering Contiguous Zone and to conduct an
evaluation of their effectiveness as outlined in the Commissioner's letter to
Mayor Ryan dated September 13, 2005.
That the Region of Durham be requested to commence the process of installing
the four siren design in the Pickering Contiguous Zone, as recommended by
DPRA/Aercoustics, including detailed survey work, and that staff be authorized
to grant municipal consent where required.
That the Province be requested to deal with the remaining nuclear public alerting
issues (i.e. indoor public alerting and alerting within the 3-10 km area) only in the
context of a comprehensive, community-wide public alerting system that
addresses all types of potential community emergencies, and that staff be
directed to work on this basis only with the Province and the Region on these
issues.
That staff be authorized to request reimbursement from the Province and/or the
Ontario Power Generation for the DPRA/Aercoustics re-design consulting costs
that the City incurred.
That a copy of this Report and Resolutions be forwarded to the Province of
Ontario, Region of Durham, M.P. Dan McTeague, M.P. Mark Holland, M.P.P.
Wayne Arthurs, and the Ontario Power Generation.
Report CAO 12-05
Subject: Public Alerting
Date:
October 24, 2005
Page 2
Executive Summary:
As result of a meeting with the Commissioner of Emergency Management, the Mayor
has received a letter from the Commissioner asking the City to agree to the installation
of four outdoor alerting sirens in accordance with the design that was developed for the
City by DPRA/Aercoustics. The Commissioner also included in his letter a
commitment to revisiting the issues surrounding indoor public alerting in the Contiguous
Zone and the expansion of the system into the Primary Zone (3-10 km).
It is recommended that Council concur with the Commissioner's proposal, and request
the Region of Durham to initiate the installation process for four sirens. As well, it is
recommended that the Province be requested to deal with the remaining nuclear public
alerting issues (indoor public alerting and alerting within the 3-10 km area) only in the
context of a community-wide public alerting system that addresses all types of potential
community emergencies, and that staff be directed to work on these issues with the
Province and Region only within this context. In addition, Council's direction is sought
to request reimbursement from the Province and/or OPG for the consulting costs
incurred by the City in using DPRA/Aercoustics siren re-design study.
Financial Implications:
Should Council concur, staff will seek reimbursement from the Province and/or OPG for
consulting costs associated with DPRA/Aercoustics redesign study. These costs
totalled $23,965.52.
The City would not incur any costs, other than staff time, in relation to the installation of
the four sirens.
Background:
On September 1, 2005 the Commissioner of Emergency Management, Julian Fantino,
met with the Mayor, four councillors, the CAO, and the Community Emergency
Management Coordinator primarily to discuss nuclear public alerting in the Pickering
Contiguous Zone. During the meeting, the Commissioner proposed that the four sirens
proposed by the Pickering DPRA/Aercoustics re-design study be installed and
subsequently evaluated to determine their effectiveness in meeting the Provincial
nuclear emergency public alerting requirements. In discussions on the matter, the CAO
reminded the Commissioner that the Region of Durham was designated as the public
alerting project manager and therefore if the four siren design were to be used, the
Region would be responsible for the siren installations and evaluations.
Report CAO 12-05 Date: October 24, 2005
Subject: Public Alerting
Page 3
In a letter dated September 13, 2005 and addressed to Mayor Ryan, the Commissioner
of Emergency Management formalized his position on public alerting and in particular
the idea of proceeding with the four siren design (see Attachment 1).
On October 5, 2005, Gary Cubitt, the Regional CAO wrote to the Commissioner of
Emergency Management to clarify that the Region was responsible for the public
alerting project and requesting clarification on the Commissioner's position (see
Attachment 2). In his letter, Mr. Cubitt noted that he understood the Province intended
to have a scientific review conducted of the original Regional design for twenty-nine
sirens, and the City's design for four sirens. Mr. Cubitt also noted that the proposal to
install four sirens at this time might pose financial and legal implications for the Region.
The Commissioner's letter to the Mayor also gave a "commitment to revisiting the
technology for the indoor alerting system as well as the criteria that will govern public
alerting for the 3-10 kilometre area." This is welcome news, as the City had previously
raised both of these issues with the Province (and Region) and had suggested that
these issues be dealt with only in the context of a comprehensive, community wide
alerting system. The memorandum to the CAO dated September 27, 2005 from the
Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) provides a comparative
analysis of various community public alerting system options, and can be used as a
basis for future discussions with the Province and Region in this regard (see
Attachment 3 - previously distributed at the October 3, 2005 Management Forum
Meeting).
Accordingly, it is recommended that Council request that the Province deal with the
indoor public alerting issue, and the issue of nuclear alerting within the 3-10 km area,
only in the context of a comprehensive, community-wide public alerting system that
addresses all types of potential community emergencies, and that staff be directed to
work with the Province and Region on these issues only within this context.
Attachment:
1. Letter from the Julian Fantino Commissioner of Emergency Management, to
Mayor Ryan, dated September 13, 2005
2. Letter from the Gary Cubitt, Regional CAO, to the Commissioner of Emergency
Management, date October 5, 2005
3. Memorandum from the Community Emergency Management Coordinator, to the
CAO dated September 27, 2005
Report CAO 12-05
Subject: Public Alerting
Date: October 24, 2005
Page 4
Prepared By:
Approved / Endorsed By:
A.L. (Joe) ICunwicks /
Community Emergency Management
Coordinator
Chief Administrative Officer
TJQ:alh:tem
Attachment
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City.Council
-Tl~m---a~ J. Qui(F~, Chiel' Administra~ffi(~e2Y
Ministry of Community Safety
and Correctional Services
Commissioner of
Emergency Management
Minist~re de la S~curit~ communautaire
et des Services correctionnels
: COmm~mire ~ ~a [
Gestion des situations d'urgence
Ontario
25 Grosvenor Street
11"' Floor
Toronto ON M7A 1Y6
Tel: 416-327-9734
Fax: 416-327-9739
September 13, 2005
His Worship David Ryan
City of Pickering
1 The Esplanade
Pickering ON LIV 6K7
Dear Mayor Ryan:
25, rue Grosvenor
11e ~tage
Toronto ON M7A [Y6
T~I. 416-32'7-9734
T~l~c. :416-327-9739
EM05-00003
I am glad we had the opportunity to meet on September 1, 2005 to discuss and move
forward the issues of public education and public alerting for your City.
To reiterate our agreement on that date, you will move ahead with the installation of 4
sirens as per the Aerocoustics Engineering Ltd. and DPRA study commissioned by the
City of Pickering. The installation will be followed by a period of testing and then, of
mutual evaluation. The aim of the evaluation will be to determine if the system meets
the (outdoor) public alerting criteria as laid out in the Province of Ontario Nuclear
Emergency Plan. I envisage the evaluation team as consisting of representatives from
the City of Pickering, the Region of Durham, Ontario Power Generation and Emergency
Management Ontario.
Further, I committed to revisiting the technology for the indoor alerting system as well as
the criteria that will govern public alerting for the 3-10 kilometre area.
I understand your Council will consider this agreement at their meeting on September
19, 2005. I look forward to your Council's resolution on this matter 'so that we may
begin to move ahead on further enhancing the safety of the citizens of the City of
Pickering.
Sincer;y,~
Commissioner of Emergency Management
c: Gary Cubitt, Chief Administrative Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham
Allan Lew, Ontario Power Generation
The Regional
Municipality
of Durham
Office of the C.A.O.
PO BOX 623
605 ROSSLAND ROAD E.
WHITBY ON L1N 6A3
CANADA
(905) 668-7711
1-800-372-1102
Fax: /905) 668-1567
E-maih
garry, cubitt@region.durhamon.ca
www. region.durham.on .ca
Garry H, Cubitt,'M.S.W., C.S.W.
Chief Administrative Officer
OCtober 5, 2005
Mr: Julian Fantino
Commissioner of Emergency Management
Ministry of Community Safety
and Correctional Services,
25 Grosvenor St., 11th Floor
Toronto ON MTA 1Y6
Dear Mr. Fantino:
Durham Region Nuclear Emerqency Public Alerting Project
Thank you for a copy of your letter to the Mayor of the City of Pickering
dated September 13, 2005
As you are aware, Durham Region is, a !'deSignated municipality" under
the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Plan (PNEP)(March 1999), a
Provincial plan that is legislated under the Emergency Management Act.
The PNEP directs Durham Region to establish and maintain a pUblic
alerting system in the Contiguous (3 km) Zones that meets the Provincial
standard;
The public alerting project in. Durham Region is directed by a Steering
Committee consisting of the Chief Administrative Officers of the Region
and affected lakeshore communities (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, OshaWa,
Clarington), as well as the Chief, Emergency Management Ontario and a
senior executive of Ontario Power Generation. A qualified design
consultant was selected and the subsequent alerting design was
endorsed by Regional Council and the Councils of the lakeshore
municipalities. An RFP process was initiated for the equipment and
installation. A contract was signed in October 2003 and equipment was
purchased.
In July 2004, the City of Pickering'sCouncil passed a resolution
requesting that the original design consultant undertake a review of the
alerting system in Pickering. This review was not completed as a peer
review consultant retained by the City produced an alternate design with
substantially fewer sirens.
........
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
foi' our~ COMMUNITY
100% Post Consumes
-2-
The original design included 29 outdoor sirens for the Pickering 3 km
zone while the May 2005 design by the consultant retained by the City
indicates that only 4 of the same sirens are required.
Due to this disparity, I wrote to Neil McKerrell on'June 10th asking that
the Province review the two designs to determine which, meets the
requirements of the Provincial standard. On June 15th, Mr. McKerrell
confirmed by letter (attached)the intention of Emergency Management
Ontario to initiate a Scientific review of the two reports and,
subsequently, provide advice as to an acceptable model. '
Although it is acknowledged your letter addresses an agreement with the
City of .Pickering, and makes no commitment for the Region of'Durham,
we remain nonetheless, concerned that action takenby the Province
and the City of:Pickering may have significant financial and legal
implications for the Region.
'Given the above, and your-letter to the Mayor of Pickerin'g, I wanted to
confirm our unde.rstandin~ regarding the commitment of the Province to
initiate a scientific review of the two outdoor siren designs for compliance
with the Provincial standard. We remain committed to action upon
receipt of your advice as to what model meets'the requirements.of your
legislation.
Yours truly,
iGarry H. Cubitt, M.S.W.
Chief Administrative 'Officer
Attachment: 1
COpy: Thomas Quinn, C.A.O. City of Pickering
Ministry of Community Safety
and Correctional Services
Emergency Management Ontario
77 WeLlesley Street West
Box 222
Toronto ON M7A lN3
Office of the Chief
Telephone/Tal~phone
Facsimile/T~l&opieur
E-mail
File Re ference/R~f~rence
June 15, 2005
Minlst~re de la Sdcurit~ communautaire
et des Services correctionnels
Gestion des situations d'urgence Ontario
77, rue Wellesley Ouest
C.P. 222
Toronto ON MTA
Bureau du chef
(416) 212-3526
(416) 212-3498
Information. EMO~Jus.gov.on.ca
OFf4CE OF
,Mr. Garry H. Cubitt
Chief Administrative Officer
The Regional Municipality of Durham
PO BOX 623
605 Rossland Road E.
Whitby ON L1N 6A3
' Jl/tt ? 1 2t705
Dear Mr. Cubitt,
Yesterday, I received your letter of June 10, 2005 containing the most recent report concerning the
Durham Region Public Alerting Project.
Further to discussions that we have had, I would like to confirm that it is the intention Of Emergency
Management Ontario to initiate a scientific peer review of both the Framatome ANP and DPRA repons
to ensure that they meet the provincial standard for public alerting.
It is our objective that this work Mil be completed by the end of the Summer of 2005, and that I will be
in a position to advise you of the results of the review shortly thereafter.
For your information, I appeared before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission recently and advised
them of the course of action that we intended to follow. Not unlike Durham Region and EMO, they are
most anxious to see a resolution of this matter as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Nell T. McKerreI1
Chief
c.c. Maureen Griffiths
OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
September 27, 2005
To:
From:
Thomas J. Quinn
Chief Administrative Officer
A. L. (Joe) Hunwicks
Community Emergency Management Coordinator
Subject: Public Alerting Options
File: S-5600-010
During the summer I conducted a review of public alerting systems to examine the
various options that are currently available. Attached is a table that summarizes the
options and evaluates some aspects of each system.
In summary, it appears that to meet the outdoor aspect of the Ontario public alerting
requirements, which is contained in the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Plan, there is no
alternative to the use of sirens. However, there exist a variety of options for indoor
alerting as an alternative to the Region's proposed indoor tone alert devices. Those
options could complement the use of sirens so as to establish a system that provides
community-wide public alerting for all types of emergencies instead of just nuclear
events.
The Ontario nuclear public alerting requirements are very specific in terms of the
percentage of the population that must be alerted, the time of alerting, and the location
of the people that must be notified. The requirements are consistent with the standards
for public alerting in the United States and other nuclear host countries. I also have
learned that only sirens have been used to meet the outdoor alerting requirements in
those other jurisdictions.
The following is the current public alerting wording that has appeared in the Provincial
Nuclear Emergency Plan since 1997; note that the requirements are only provincial
policy and not law:
The nuclear installations at Pickering / Darlington shall provide the resources and
assistance to their designated municipafities to enable them to establish a public
alerting system in their Primary Zones.
Public Alerting Options
September 27, 2005
Page 2
The public alerting system in the Contiguous Zone (0-3 km) must provide, within
15 minutes of initiation, waming to practically 100% of the people in the
Contiguous Zone at that time, whether they are indoors or outdoors, and
irrespective of the time of day or year.
As part of my recent review, I was asked to investigate a system known as Wireless
Audio Visual Emergency System (WAVES), which was promoted by its supplier as an
alternative to the Region's proposed siren system. My research has revealed that
WAVES includes the use of large sirens like the ones that the Region currently owns -
in fact WAVES has been installed in several locations in the USA using the same
model of ATI sirens that the Region of Durham purchased. WAVES also operates
using additional smaller sirens, strobe lights, and other devices that compliment the
large sirens. The president of the company that sell WAVES informed me that an area
the size of the Pickering Contiguous Zone would require at least the number of sirens
that were originally planned for Pickering, plus in his opinion, smaller sirens that could
number in the dozens, as well as strategically placed strobe lights throughout the
community.
WAVES has one notable advantage over the Region's proposed system in that it uses
a more sophisticated two-way radio system for activating the sirens. WAVES' high
frequency scrambled radio signals are used to prevent false sounding of the sirens by
would-be hackers. I did not receive a cost estimate for WAVES, but the person that I
spoke to indicated that the Region's existing sirens could be used to augment the
required additional equipment.
I also learned that WAVES has never been installed for use in community public
alerting. The systems were designed and installed at institutional settings such a
military bases and industrial complexes like oil refineries.
During the past four months I have also been working as a member of a national
committee that is developing guidelines for public alerting systems in Canada. These
activities have enhanced the work that I have been conducting for Pickering and have
confirmed to me that a combination of systems, including the four siren arrangements
that our consultants have designed, would not only meet the Ontario nuclear public
alerting requirements, but would establish a comprehensive community-wide system for
all types of emergencies. In addition, such a system would meet the future national
standard for public alerting.
Based on what I have learned from my review and participation in developing a set of
national public alerting guidelines, I am now convinced that a combination of
technologies are needed to effectively alert citizens of a community emergency,
including nuclear events. Even though the use of sirens for outdoor alerting is a
standard practise throughout the world for nuclear emergency alerting, I am not
convinced that such a single method is the best option of choice.
Public Alerting Options September 27, 2005
Page 3
However, as long as the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Plan stipulates that outdoor
alerting is required, it seems that there is no choice but to accept that sirens will be the
primary component of a public alerting system for the Pickering Nuclear Contiguous
Zone.
ALH:Ir
Attachment
Copy: Director, Operations & Emergency Services
Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy
A. Hu'nwicks /
El.
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