OLDS — The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is slated to shut down July 14, pending any flare-up of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EOC has been operating out of the town’s Emergency Services Building, which houses the fire department and ambulance personnel. The EOC was activated in mid-March after the pandemic lockdown was announced.
EOC director Brian Powell announced the plan to wind down the centre during council’s June 22 meeting.
“That’s our plan so far,” he said. “Again, that out there is written in faint pencil. Of course, if we reintroduce a COVID outbreak in our community or our region, then we may look at maintaining a higher level of focus.
“However, for now, this is what it’s looking like for us to get back to some normal business operations in the community.”
An initial report of how things went for the EOC will be provided to council on July 13.
Then in the fall, a final, more thorough report will be presented to council, including feedback from various partner agencies that EOC officials dealt with.
“I’m a bit of a statistical analyst guy and I like to see if that juice was worth the squeeze and see if we have spent time appropriately,” Powell said.
Mayor Michael Muzychka congratulated Powell and his EOC team on the work they’ve done.
“Just a testament director Powell, to you and your team and (what) an incredible job you’ve done,” Muzychka said.
He said the start-up of the EOC followed an emergency disaster plan spearheaded by chief administrative officer Michael Merritt nearly three years ago.
“Every citizen of the Town of Olds should be thanking you as well because everybody’s sleeping really soundly these nights and they don’t realize that it’s because you’re looking over us. Thank you so much,” Muzychka said to Powell.
Councillors Mary Jane Harper and Heather Ryan echoed those accolades.
“It’s been pretty impressive to see them in action,” Ryan said.
Ryan did have one major question for finance director Sheena Linderman though.
Powell reported that the total amount of overtime paid for employees working on “COVID-related tasks” had reached $14,903.01, up $1,084.64 since the last update.
“Now that we’re doing some of this demobilization, do you think we’ll see a reduction of the overtime hours and if so, what are we looking at,” Ryan asked.
“Are we looking at probably an end to this overtime? Would this number, $14,000, be pretty much it? Or what do you think?”
“I can’t anticipate that will be it, but it will definitely be reduced, going forward,” Linderman replied.
Council voted to accept Powell’s presentation for information.
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