Bruderheim facility renovated as hub during an emergency, but now has multi-purposes

Bruderheim Chief Administrative Officer Patty Podoborozny demonstrates one of two new computerized whiteboards installed in the Bruderheim Fire Station as renovations for the Resilient Rurals Interagency Operation Centre were completed in August.

Plans to renovate Bruderheim’s Fire Station to include a Resilient Rurals Interagency Operations Centre were finally realized when grant applications were approved earlier this year.

The renovations were complete in June, with the audio and visual upgrades completed in August.

Bruderheim’s Chief Administrative Officer Patty Podoborozny explained that the RRIOC will not only operate as a hub to centralize services and communication in the event of an emergency, but up to date technology and equipment will allow for multi purpose use.

“It’s the Resilient Rurals Interagency Operation Center and also a training centre. It’s the first time I’ve seen in the region where municipal and industry have partnered. So, it’s not just a municipal building. It’s not just an industry initiative,” she said.

“Synovus, Enbridge, and Shell have all donated $10,000 to this initiative. So that room is there if they ever had to go off site. If there was an emergency, they could set up here. So, it was great to partner, because those are huge supporters of our community who are constantly there for us. So now we’re able to give back.”

Part of the upgraded audio-visual equipment are two new computerized white boards. Podoborozny described the cutting-edge technology.

“In addition to the equipment, we added WiFi to all town buildings. On the white boards, you can write notes and send them to yourself paperless. You can also poll your audience with it by everyone scanning the QR code with their phones. You can add a question on the whiteboard and they can use their phones to vote. People don’t always like to speak up in a room full of people but they will vote,” she said.

“I’m super excited about the future. That we can share this venue with many organizations and different initiatives and technologies.”

Podoborozny said the emergency centre would have been useful during past emergencies.

“Definitely the localized flooding situations in 2020 throughout Lamont County as well as Wildfires in both Strathcona and Lamont County in 2019. As well, we are seeing many events created by wind which would require multiple agencies to coordinate safe re-entry for residents. For example, downed power lines or road closures that prevented access by emergency personnel,” she said.

While the advancements are a welcome addition to the Bruderheim Fire Station, Podoborozny said they came with a steep price tag.

“The building modifications cost $22,000, the internet upgrades cost $58,000, and the audio-visual system for the meeting and training rooms were $71,000,” she said.

Podoborozny added that donations and grant funding helped to cover the cost.

“We received $30,000 in donations from industry partners (Shell, Cenovus Energy and Enbridge Pipelines) to build and stock the RRIOC (Resilient Rurals Interagency Operations Centre) We also received a grant of $70,000 through the Alberta Government MSP (Municipal Stimulus Program), and $53,000 through the Alberta Government MOST (Municipal Operating Support Transfer),” she said. “Strathcona County also donated project management through their in-house technical advisory group.”

Podoborzny said that testing of the new emergency space will take place in October with a mock exercise.

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Jana Semeniuk
Staff Reporter