HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 26, 2005
CiÚf a~ Minutes I Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday October 26,2005
7:00 pm
Civic Complex - CAO's Boardroom
Attendees: Stephen Little
Prem Noronha-Waldriff
Joe Hunwicks
Absent: Councillor David Pickles (regrets)
Bill Boyes (regrets)
Kelly Collins (regrets)
Sandy Stanton
Responses to questions posed at the June AAC meeting were
discussed:
How does a document like this get coupled with
emergency planning in Pickering?
Pickering is clearly in the business of public alerting
because it is an essential component of a community
emergency management program. Council recently
directed staff to continuing reviewing options to expand
Public Alerting to the entire community for all types of
emergencies. A comprehensive Public Alerting Systems
includes a lot of different technologies for visual, hearing
impaired. Also in multiple languages. Will take a few
years to get into place, however commitment is there
from Council. With what is going on in the US,
accessibility planning is key to the development of
emergency plans. Emergency planning and procedures
should be for all residents e.g. Transit Systems must
include accessibility. Joe is going to make it happen in
Pickering with the work he is currently doing to establish
a new Community Emergency Management Plan and
supporting documents.
Is Pickering a High Risk Community?
Pickering is considered a high-risk community because
of the nuclear plant and because of the existence of
Hi hwa 401 and the two ma"or rail lines, which trans ort
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large quantities of hazardous materials. The Province
now requires municipalities to conduct proper risk
management by determining what their risks are and
then planning for them.
Live Testing - How will it be done?
National Standards are now being developed and will
suggest that testing must be done on a regular basis,
e.g. via radio / TV / Internet / siren activations, etc). .
Dates / times of testing to be made public prior to
activations.
Communication/Language -
English / French / Braille / alternate formats / multiple
languages / mediums, etc. All will be considered in the
plan. New phone books will have red bordered pages of
nuclear emergency instructions.
March Forum -
Not circulated to committee prior to deadline. Some
comments were included in the current Federal Public
Alerting Vision Document. Comments from the
committee will be brought forward.
Line between Alerting and Evacuation?
- 2 different processes. The Public Alerting Vision
document is only for alerting purposes. Accessibility will
definitely be included. Evacuation means to have people
moved out of harms ways and is covered under
separate plans and procedures.
Other comments:
On Sept. 1/05, the Ontario Commissioner of Emergency
Management, Julian Fantino, came to a meeting in
Pickering to discuss public alerting with the Mayor,
Council, CAO, and Community Emergency Management
Coordinator. The City's consultants have suggested that
4 sirens are enough to provide adequate sound
coverage. The Region's consultants originally indicated
that 29 are required. Commissioner Fantino suggested
that 4 sirens could be installed and the results evaluated.
Councillors went to Dallas, Texas to a conference on
transit and were exposed to emergency management
information and activities due to the ongoing response to
Hurricane Katrina.
Councillor Brenner brought back lots of really good
emer enc mana ement information.
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Sept. 11 inspired a sharp increase in emergency
management activities in both countries.
- The U.S. has traditionally been well advanced of Canada
in terms of planning and preparedness..
Joe gave us a copy of "Guide of the Special Needs of
People with Disabilities" from the Emergency
Preparedness Initiative.
- We have got to be better prepared, not catching on as
fast in Canada.
U.S. Federal government dedicates huge dollars for
emergency management - very aggressive in the U.S.
In Canada there is very little funding for Emergency
Mgmt.
- There are many good informational resources available -
will continue to use. Will forward info to the AAC for
involvement and comment.
- Would be good if someone from the AAC would like to sit
on the Community Emergency Management Program
Committee.
- AAC Committee will be kept up to date on all progress.
- Joe is actively working on the development of a new
community emergency management plan, which is
targeted for early 2006to have before Council for
approval.
- The Draft Plan will be discussed at the CEMP
Committee during next month's meeting.
roved 2005-2006
- Copies distributed.
3.0 Nøw AAC Members:
- Lori Murray I Chris Del Luca - still to be confirmed.
4..0 .u date on Site Plans:
Stephen commented on site plan for City Centre residence
(Retirement Home):
Generally seems acceptable.
Strong concern that there is only 1 accessible parking
space for residents and visitors.
- Accessible entrances and exits seem to be very limited.
Non-existent accessibility for staff.
5.0 Other Business:
None.
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5.0 Next .Meeting:
Wednesday November 23, 2005
Meeting Adjourned: 8: 15 pm
Copy: Division Head, Culture & Recreation
Supervisor, Culture & Recreation (Acting)
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