The RMWB has released a 47 page document that outlines all measures being taken to protect residents living in the 439 households who will be making their way home to Abasand and Beacon Hill starting on Wednesday, August 31.
The document boils down the more than 600-page plan that was submitted to the Chief Medical Officer of Health for approval, using bullet points and charts to clearly outline exactly what risks have been present and what steps have been taken on the ground since May 30 to mitigate those risks.
“If there are any concerns about what risks were in place since the recommendation has changed then, certainly, this will provide a detailed assessment of what has changed on the ground and why we feel that this area is now safe for habitation,” said Recovery Branch Lead Erin O’Neill at a briefing on the document Tuesday afternoon. “It does give residents some information about who they can call when there’s issues, and the PULSE Line (780-743-7000) and all those tools, so it does give them that more detailed information so if there are any concerns this is definitely the document we’d encourage residents to read.”
For each possible risk, the document outlines how the hazard is identified, a description of the risk, the means of tracking success of mitigation, the party responsible for that mitigation, any gaps or next steps and related documents, first in brief bullet points then in an in-depth summary.
This is just one example of one of the identified risks and what has been done to mitigate it. There are also maps of the Phase 1 re-entry included in the document.
Other information available
For those who don’t want to read all 47 pages there will be an orientation booklet released that will further condense the information for returning residents.
As well, for the 439 households returning home, there will be re-entry booklets at each doorstep with information about the re-entry process including re-activating gas and other services. The information in those booklets is similar to what the residents in the rest of the community received on re-entry after June 1 with the information updated according to the latest circumstances.
If there is a pink placard included in the re-entry information package at your home, O’Neill said it is because your property either backs onto or sits across from destroyed homes and therefore is eligible for an additional inspection by Alberta Health Services. This inspection is not mandatory, it is only if you wish to have it completed. There will be contact information to launch the process included in your booklet if you are eligible. There is more information the RMWB’s FAQ page about the re-entry process.
Re-entry day
On Wednesday, August 31, re-entry will begin at 8 a.m. in both Abasand and Beacon Hill. The security check-points will move in both areas from the main entrance to the communities to two other locations to control access to the new restricted areas, which are smaller and exist within the communities themselves.
“It will be free-flow into Abasand and Beacon Hill,” said O’Neill. “The security checkpoints will actually move to different areas within those neighbourhoods so that where the debris removal is happening and the remaining standing homes that are part of Phase 2 are is protected, so those will just move in the area. However, otherwise residents can go in, friends can visit. It will basically have the look and feel of a community again.”
Firefighters and other emergency services personnel will be on hand to welcome residents returning to their homes. All residents are encouraged to visit an information centre, either before visiting their home or after, to ensure they have all the necessary information to make the transition back home as smooth and safe as possible.
Alberta Health Services, the Red Cross, RCMP, Insurance Bureau of Canada, and RMWB staff will be on hand at the information centres to answer questions and to connect residents with the services they need. The centres, located in the parking lot next to Ecole Boreale in Abasand and at the Frank Lacroix arena in Beacon Hill, are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 31, September 1 and September 2. After September 2 residents are encouraged to visit the Future Forward Building on Franklin Avenue across from the courthouse between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday.
Changes to demolition work in Abasand and Beacon Hill
With the return of 439 households comes changes to the process for contractors who are working in the area doing demolition and clean-up work in the two communities. Starting Wednesday morning these contractors will have had to undergo a new mandatory orientation process, which includes a test, in order to qualify for a green placard that shows they completed the orientation. They will not be allowed to enter the restricted areas without that placard.
The new orientation was initiated Tuesday afternoon and staff will be on hand Wednesday morning to run the orientation for any contractors that haven’t yet completed the process to ensure work isn’t put on hold.
It includes, O’Neill said, speed limits in demolition zones, the wetting of ash and debris during demolition, and all other elements in the risk mitigation matrix and the demolition guidelines.
Alberta Health Services has also put together a document with information on living safely in a demolition and construction zone available here online.
“We feel that the risk mitigation plan that has been put in place, with collaboration between the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Government of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, does address the risks and does mitigate the risks and that the area is safe for residents to return,” said O’Neill.
If you have any outstanding questions about re-entry you can call the PULSE Line at 780-743-7000 or visit an information centre when they open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 31.
