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Continuity plan preserves core RVC services

BusinessContinuityPlanWeb
Rocky View County's business continuity plan, which addresses what to do before, during and after a disaster, will enable the continued provision of core services during the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo/Rocky View Weekly

As Rocky View County (RVC) continues to contend with the novel coronavirus pandemic, a press release from the municipality outlined how its business continuity plan will preserve the provision of core services.

"This is a stressful time for residents and business owners in the County, and we want to thank people for their patience. After closing County Hall, we initiated both work-from-home protocols, staggered shifts at our facilities and other contingency measures to ensure critical infrastructure and services are maintained, while keeping employees and the public safe," CAO Al Hoggan stated in the press release. "We are pleased that the County continues to fully operate core services during this very difficult time."

While the County was initially hopeful it would reopen County Hall to the public April 1, the press release indicated a date to reopen has not yet been determined.

"How soon we get back to normal – or at least the new normal – will depend on the nation-wide effectiveness of the steps people are being asked to take," Hoggan said. "RVC continues to encourage residents to take precautions to protect themselves and others from the risk of COVID-19."

According to the press release, the County's business continuity plans determine how services are operated during the current stage of the pandemic, but also address what would happen if the situation worsens.

"Contingencies include staff reallocations, and the network of mutual aid agreements the County has built with its neighbouring municipalities," the release stated.

As of March 25, many essential services such as fire services, enforcement services, water and wastewater utilities and 911 are operating normally. Snow clearing and general road safety continue to operate normally, as well.

Waste and recycling services are generally functioning normally, according to the release, but used textile bins and household good donation sheds at County transfer sites in Bragg Creek, Irricana and Langdon are closed until further notice. Plastic bag recycling in Bragg Creek is also cancelled for now, and in Langdon, curbside collection takes effect April 1 with weekly blue cart collection changing to Wednesdays while black and green cart collection remains unchanged.

Building services is seeing some disruptions, with processing times for permit applications, fee payments and general inquiries possibly taking longer than usual for a response. Additionally, the release states, in-person permit applications and inspections of occupied buildings are not being accommodated.

Existing and new planning applications continue, with staff focusing on time-sensitive building permit applications.

Meanwhile, all recreation services are cancelled until further notice. RVC has closed all playgrounds to limit public gatherings and promote social distancing. Additionally, 15 recreation buildings and facilities are also closed. A full list can be found at rockyview.ca

According to the press release, RVC has held workshops on business continuity for several months to help local businesses determine what to do before, during and after a disaster.

"We were certainly thinking of fire, floods or tornadoes, but anyone who went through the program and prepared a business continuity plan is well equipped to deal with COVID-19," Hoggan said. "I'm very proud of RVC's leadership in this area."

Meanwhile, RVC's emergency management team continues to be in close contact with Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health to monitor the continuing COVID-19 situation and adjust the County's actions as needed.

Follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national COVID-19 news, resources, FAQs and more.

Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com

Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick

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