IceStorm 98 Study

Supplementary interview by Stewart Fyfe April 8,1998

Mayor Gary Bennett

Question from Stewart

Could you clarify one point regarding the selection of the Emergency Control Centre? You said it was decided not to use the designated primary centre at the Correctional Staff College because it did not have power and access was difficult because of trees down, particularly a report of two down on the access road to the College. Neither seems a conclusive reason. As a designated emergency centre, the College must have had generator capability and radio communications, and the tree blockage argument is of limited weight as it would have been easy to drive across the open lawn. A third explanation that has been reported is that the College administration wanted 24 hour notice to make the facility available.

Answer from Mayor Bennett

The extent of the emergency was rapidly becoming evident. The decision was taken that we could not afford the time to get firmer information as to whether or not the College could be made a suitable operational site. Even fifteen minutes was critical. One went with what one knew was a workable operational site.

He believes the question of notice did come up.

He had enjoyed the interview process and meeting what was a very competent team.