The County of Dufferin has Declared an Emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Mar 26th, 2020
By rwhelan

Press Release: Dufferin County - Declaration of Emergency

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 26, 2020 1600hrs

Dufferin - The County of Dufferin has Declared an Emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act on Thursday, March 26, 2020

An emergency is defined under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as “situation, or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise” [Section 1, definition of an emergency].

There are a number of criteria established by the Province of Ontario to guide municipalities when making a decision about declaring an emergency.  The County of Dufferin is currently experiencing several of the criteria.

  • Is the situation an extraordinary event requiring extraordinary measures?
  • Does the situation require a response that exceeds or threatens to exceed the capabilities of the municipality for either resources or deployment of personnel?
  • Does the situation create sufficient strain on the municipal response capability in areas within the municipality that may be impacted by a lack of services?
  • Is it a consideration that the municipal response may be of such duration that additional personnel and resources may be required to maintain the continuity of operation?

“Due to the rapidly changing conditions, it has become necessary to declare an emergency so that we may be able to address resident needs in a more timely manner,” said Warden Darren White.

The emergency declaration does not change the rules and regulations that exist to ensure the County of Dufferin operates effectively. The County continues to provide essential services to the community. This includes, but is not limited to our Long-Term Care Home, income and community housing supports, waste and recycling pick-up, general maintenance of County roads, building permit applications and inspections.

What You Can Do: Stay Safe. Stay Home. 

Acting decisively as a community can help maintain the safety and well-being of residents.  Residents should follow the advice of our Public Health Unit to help alleviate pressures on the healthcare system, and best protect themselves and loved ones. Precautions to prevent transmission include:

  • self-isolation, 
  • maintaining at least a 2 metre distance from others, 
  • avoiding all unnecessary travel, 
  • washing hands often, and 
  • regularly disinfecting high touch zones in shared spaces in your home.

For more information on precautions you should be taking, please consult Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

 

For more information, please contact:

Pam Hillock, Clerk

phillock@dufferincounty.ca

519-941-2816 (2503)

 

Sonya Pritchard, Chief Administrative Officer

spritchard@dufferincounty.ca

519-941-2816 (2502)

 

Click here to download a copy of the press release