P.E.I. government response to post-tropical storm Fiona co-ordinated but flawed
CTV
A new report says P.E.I.'s response last year to post-tropical storm Fiona was well-co-ordinated, but says there's room for improvement for government agencies and their partners.
A new report says P.E.I.'s response last year to post-tropical storm Fiona was hindered by exhausted staff, a poorly informed public and resources that were stretched thin during the most costly extreme weather event to hit Atlantic Canada.
When the powerful storm slammed into the island on Sept. 24, 2022, winds gusting at up to 149 kilometres per hour toppled trees, damaged homes, destroyed wharves and knocked out electricity and communications for almost all of the province's homes and businesses.
The 51-page report, prepared by Ottawa-based Calian Group Ltd., found that, in general, the island's response was well co-ordinated. But the report makes it clear that government departments, agencies and their partners could have done a better job.
As power outages dragged on until late October 2022, for example, the province's response started to show strain as emergency staff began to tire. The report found that the province's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) and some partner agencies did not have enough staff to deal with an emergency of Fiona's magnitude.
"It was noted in many of the focus groups and interviews that staffing was an issue as staff and volunteers were quickly overwhelmed," the report says. "There were not enough individuals who could step in and provide days off, which led to exhaustion."
The report suggests the province look into creating a roster of qualified employees who don't regularly work on emergencies, but who can assist when the next disaster hits. The report, however, recognizes there could be challenges dealing with labour unions.
"In the days following Fiona, many provincial government employees were home, unable to go to their workplace because of facility damage," the report says. "Those employees could be tasked to support the emergency response."