Dufferin County Providing Shelter From the Storm

By: Steve Murphy

September 2024

Although winter is several months away, Dufferin County is already taking measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during bouts of severe winter weather or any other emergencies that may arise.

A cornerstone of their community preparedness efforts is a fleet of eight (8) new emergency support trailers. These trailers are intended to provide emergency support services personnel with the equipment they need to open a temporary shelter in situations where external aid might not be readily available, such as blizzards, tornadoes, road closures, or residential fires.

The County has purchased eight trailers, one for each of its lower-tier municipalities, to ensure sufficient coverage and quick response times when people require emergency support at one or more of the County’s 14 designated shelter locations. Each trailer is equipped with essential supplies to support 50 people. These supplies include cots, food, blankets, pillows, hygiene items, and first aid kits. The goal is to offer immediate support to those affected by emergencies, minimizing the reliance on external organizations that might be overwhelmed during widespread crises or unable to respond due to weather conditions.

Severe weather is not a new phenomenon in central Ontario and Dufferin County has witnessed some incredible displays of nature’s fury. Rapidly changing weather conditions can quickly lead to dangerous situations, such as accidents or road closures, necessitating immediate local intervention.

Although there are several not-for-profit and volunteer organizations that can be called upon to assist with sheltering during a severe weather incident, the conditions often prevent help from accessing the community until the situation has improved. In some cases, this can be two or three days. To counter this challenge Dufferin County set out to develop a very local cadre of volunteers who are trained to make the most of the emergency resources maintained in the trailers. The combination of these trailers and the  dedicated volunteers ensures that the residents and visitors in Dufferin County can receive emergency support when it is needed most.

Residents living near the designated shelter sites are encouraged to sign-up as Emergency Support Service (ESS) volunteers. Those who sign-up through their local municipality receive training and are added to the list of ESS volunteers that can be called upon when needed. The ESS volunteers not only enhance the county's emergency preparedness but also strengthen community bonds as neighbors come together to help one another during times of need.

ESS volunteers meet once or twice per year for training and practice sessions which keeps them familiar with their roles without being a burden on their daily lives. Volunteers are also welcome to participate in emergency exercises and attend other training opportunities offered through the County’s emergency management program.

The necessity of these trailers is based on past experiences with severe weather and emergencies. The most recent of which was the winter storm on December 24th, 2022, that stranded more than 40 people in municipal shelters until the roads could be opened the next day. This incident reaffirmed the urgent need for local resources to manage such crises effectively, but as big winter storms go it pales in comparison to the storm in January of 2014.

During the 2014 event several hundred motorists had to be rescued from roadways across Dufferin County after blowing snow caused substantial drifts and white-out conditions. More than 500 people were rescued in an operation that spanned several hours and subjected rescuers and travelers to extreme wintry conditions and dangerously reduced visibility on local roads and highways. The stranded travelers spent the night in temporary shelters at the Dufferin Recreation Complex in Shelburne, the North Dufferin Recreation Centre in Mulmur and several smaller facilities throughout Dufferin County.

The high winds and bitterly cold temperatures associated with winter storms make these events truly life-threatening for those who venture out and become stranded on the many highways and byways in Dufferin County.

Although the Ontario Provincial Police ask motorists to stay home during these severe conditions, not everyone heeds the message. This hampers the work of crews working to clear the roads as the abandoned vehicles become obstacles to road clearing and require specialized equipment to remove them from the roadway.

While creating the business case for acquiring the emergency support trailers, it was clear that input was needed from several stakeholders. During this phase of the project, it was determined that the functionality of the resources had to meet the needs of any community sheltering operation, not just those caused by winter weather. The trailers had to be equipped with the necessities to support people who have been inconvenienced as well as those who have sustained terrible losses.

In response to the federal government cancellation of the only source of emergency preparedness funding for municipalities in 2012, Dufferin County created an emergency preparedness reserve fund. The Municipal Emergency Readiness Fund (MERF) ensures that the County’s eight (8) lower tier municipalities can access funds to off-set up to 50% of the costs of emergency preparedness projects. At the direction of County Council, the MERF fund was used to cover 100% of the proposed ESS trailer project. Additionally, Council approved funding for maintaining and restocking the supplies in the trailers.

With a budget of $12,500 per unit, and extensive input from emergency services, the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and a few people who have been on the receiving end of a community emergency shelter, a list of essential items was compiled and the items below were determined to be the basic requirements:

Once the equipment list was created the next task was trying to figure out the size trailer or storage space that we would require, and this was a simple exercise in mathematics. We set about determining the size and weight of each item and from there we determined that a small trailer measuring 9’ long and 5’ wide would suffice. The estimated weight of the supplies was determined to be just under 1,000 pounds so, to allow for a comfortable margin of error, the trailer had to be rated for at least 2,000 pounds.

The trailers we chose met our criteria and provided enough extra space and weight capacity to accommodate additional items if necessary and it didn’t take long to determine what some of those additional items would be. Thanks to the staff and volunteers involved in the training sessions the need for the following items was identified:

A significant advantage to having these trailers and the local ESS volunteers is that it allows emergency services, such as the fire department, to focus their resources on other critical tasks. The availability of local ESS resources means that first responders can prioritize rescue operations, fire suppression, and other immediate needs without being bogged down by the logistics of providing basic necessities to those affected by the emergency.

By strategically placing well-equipped trailers across the County, ensuring comprehensive supplies, and involving the community in emergency response efforts, Dufferin County is better positioned to handle severe weather events and other emergencies. This initiative highlights the importance of local community involvement in safeguarding residents and providing immediate relief during crises.

As well-equipped as these emergency shelters are, it is important for everyone to remember that they are a lifeboat, not a cruise ship. It is for this reason that Dufferin County’s Emergency Management division strongly encourages everyone to have a Get Out (GO) Bag near their door prepacked with a number of essential items for the family.

A well-equipped GO Bag should include the following items:

Personal Identification and Important Documents

• Passports, driver's licenses, and other forms of identification.
• Insurance policies, medical records, and any other critical documents.
• Copies of birth certificates and other essential records.

Medications and Medical Supplies

• A supply of prescription medications sufficient for at least a week.
• Over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antihistamines, and anti-diarrheal medications.
• Medical equipment like glucose monitors, CPAP machines, or any other necessary items.

Clothing and Personal Items

• A change of clothes for each family member, including warm clothing if evacuating during winter.
• Sturdy shoes or boots.
• Personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and sanitary supplies.

Food and Water

• Non-perishable food items that can last for at least three days. Examples include canned goods, granola bars, and dried fruit.
• A manual can opener.
• A supply of bottled water, ideally one gallon per person per day for at least three days.

Communication

• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio to receive emergency updates.
• A mobile phone
• A backup power bank or solar charger.
• A copy of the Family Communications Plan

Cash and Debit/Credit Cards

• In case electronic payment systems are down, having cash on hand can be crucial.
• Debit/Credit cards for additional financial security.

First Aid Kit

• Basic first aid supplies including bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, and medical tape.
• A first aid manual.

Tools and Supplies

• A flashlight with extra batteries.
• Multi-purpose tool or knife.
• Local maps
• A whistle to signal for help.

Comfort Items

• Items that can provide comfort and distraction, especially for children, such as toys, books, and games.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.

Special Needs

• Items specific to infants (diapers, formula)
• Hearing aids & batteries
• Mobility aids
• Pet supplies

Miscellaneous Items

• Extra set of car keys and house keys.

By ensuring that these items are packed and ready to go, residents can be better prepared to evacuate quickly and safely during an emergency. It is also advisable to review and update the emergency kit regularly, replacing expired items and adapting the contents to any changes in the family’s needs.

About the Author

Steve Murphy is the Manager, Preparedness & 911 at the County of Dufferin.