The Town of Hay River has shared the steps they have been taking to prepare for another season of potential fires and floods.
The Town has been working alongside the Local Emergency Management Organization and several other GNWT departments to develop multiple preparedness strategies to make sure residents are kept safe.
Public communication plans have been developed, and a special preparedness meeting is being planned for sometime in April that will inform the public of what risks currently exist and what preparations are in place. The Town was also working on an enhanced firesmarting program, with information expected to be publicly available in the coming days.
The main firebreak on the west side of the community has been doubled in size since the last fire event. It has been extended from the Don Wright ballpark to the Hay River Regional Health Centre and will be maintained at that size. Cut lines have also been established to provide easier access for emergency workers to get where they need to go.
Designs for improvements to the drainage system along Airport Road have been completed. Applications are being submitted for funding for this project, and the results are expected to be announced later this year.
Residents will once again be able to take part in the sandbagging program, and improvements are being made to the evacuee hosting procedures to help with capacity.
Many more actions are being taken, and the Town, LEMO, and the GNWT are staying diligent with monitoring the surrounding areas for any signs of these emergency situations.
