The city hall in Melfort would be the nerve centre in event of a major emergency. (File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Emergency Preparedness

City of Melfort outlines planning process in case of emergency situation

Nov 28, 2019 | 9:14 AM

Phones, tablets, radios, and other devices screeched on Wednesday after another test of the Emergency Alert System across Canada.

It’s all part of a system designed to warn us about impending or developing incidents including tornadoes, floods, fires, Amber Alerts, and more.

The City of Melfort’s Emergency Measures Organization is designed to be the lead, co-ordinating the response to emergencies in Melfort.

“We’ve got an [Emergency Operations Centre] committee that’s struck, we’ve got [Incident Command System] training here from the team at city hall that would obviously be tasked in setting up an EOC centre,” said City Manager Ryan Danberg.

Part of the process included putting a backup power supply at city hall, with it being the main hub in an emergency situation.

Provincial Politics

Q&A: Sask NDP leader Carla Beck sits down to discuss provincial concerns, including rent control and legislative absence

Dec 14, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Danberg said there could be another city facility used in event of an emergency.

“In our long-range capital planning, plans are in place now to use the Kerry Vickar Centre as an alternative site should it be a bigger disaster, so that is something we are working towards right now,” said Danberg.

For 2020, the city is looking at establishing a massive alert system specifically for Melfort, and residents will have an option to be a part of that.

A committee has also put emergency response plans in all city facilities, and Danberg said it’s all about constant preparation, with the Protective Services department handling the majority of planning.

In Melfort’s EMO plan, the five most likely major emergency situations include a dangerous goods or chemical spill, tornado or windstorm, rail disaster, blizzard, or major gas line break.

–

cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974