New emergency plan being prepared
By Chris Simon

Innisfil council could be passing its new emergency plan soon.

Town staff have asked council for input into the draft Innisfil Emergency Response Plan by today. Staff are expected to present the plan - which outlines how the municipality should best deal with disasters - at council's next regular meeting May 7.

"This plan is a significant step forward for the town's Emergency Management Program, and reflects the progress made over the last few years," said Innisfil Fire and Rescue Service deputy chief Jim Ferry in a statement to council. "While this plan does not represent a change in service level, it will provide for a more effective and efficient program."

All municipalities in Ontario must have an emergency plan, as mandated by the provincial government. While the town already has an emergency plan in place, the province has required updates which incorporate lessons learned from emergencies such as September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. The current plan was also tested during recent spring flooding that occurred in various areas throughout the town, said Ferry.

"Over the last few years, as the (town's emergency management) committee has administered the existing plan, various items were marked for revisions when the plan was next to be updated in accordance with developing legislation."

Among the changes to the current plan, several emergency procedures have been defined and contact roles were clarified for the town's Emergency Site Manager and Community Control Group. The proposed plan also more accurately reflects existing conditions within the community, said Ferry.

The proposal also conforms to similar emergency plans passed by the County of Simcoe, provincial and federal governments.