10. PRESENTATIONS AND DELEGATIONS
Stephen Laforet, Fire Chief, Community Emergency Management Coordinator - Windsor/Essex County
Stephen Laforet, Fire Chief, Community Engagement Management Coordinator - Windsor/Essex County, appears before Council to provide an update related to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides the following details related to our community:
As of March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
There are currently no confirmed cases in the community today.
As of March 17, 2020 the Honorable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario has declared a State of Emergency in Ontario which allows the government to enforce emergency orders.
The Premier has ordered Indoor Recreation Centres, restaurants, theatres, other venues, cinemas to close immediately.
A $300 million dollar relief package to fight COVID-19 including additional beds for the hospitals has been announced.
February 28, 2020 Community Control Group (CCG) officially moved the response level to an enhanced monitoring level.
CCG met on March 12, 2020 and escalated response to Level II—partial activation of CCG and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
CCG has implemented the Incident Management System as per the Emergency Response Plan.
CCG is meeting daily to determine strategic steps and determine the appropriate response.
Priorities focus on Public Health, Governance, Health and Safety of staff, and service continuity to help shape business processes, and the well-being of the community.
In consultation with the Mayor, the CCG is responsible for overall emergency policy and co-ordination, public information and media relations, inter-departmental liaison and proper risk management procedures.
A level 2 response is implemented when action is required by the City to address a developing or ongoing situation; some or all of the CCG members assemble to discuss strategy and determine the appropriate response. This level is one below full activation, which is the level at which a declaration of emergency may occur.