Pitt Meadows Wins National Award for Flood Response Manual

June 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2008 - 11
News Release June 3, 2008
For further information, call
Jake Rudolph, CAO at 604-465-2413
jrudolph@pittmeadows.bc.ca

CITY OF PITT MEADOWS WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR FLOOD RESPONSE MANUAL

PITT MEADOWS, BC: Each year the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) recognizes the value of excellence and professionalism in municipal administration through an Annual National Awards Program in three areas of Program Excellence. Awards are presented to local governments in recognition of their creative and successful programs, projects or services. This year the City of Pitt Meadows joined Markham, Ontario, Leduc, Alberta, London, Ontario and Richmond, British Columbia as recipients for these prestigious awards. Pitt Meadows won in the category of excellence in education for their 2007 Flood Response Plan.

The Flood Response Plan was the culmination of the preplanning that went into the response to last year's anticipated freshet event. The Fraser River has reached flood stage 25 times in the last 100 years and even though flooding is uncommon, the freshet is a naturally occurring event. High snowpacks and unusual weather patters coupled with the recent memory of New Orleans and a recent report (endorsed by the Province) questioning the overall standard for dike elevations in the Lower Mainland prompted the Provincial Government to send out messages early in 2007 that municipalities needed to be prepared for the possibility of significant flooding in the May-July period. The Province added to this by providing $33M in grants to municipalities for capital projects to enhance their readiness. The City of Pitt Meadows began to have Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meetings in February. During March/April a detailed planning process began with the preparation of an Operations Response Plan which was augmented by communications, logistics, evacuation and response plans. In addition to providing a communications strategy and materials for the public on emergency preparedness, the documented flood response plan served as a template for plans for this and other disaster risks.

Jake Rudolph, Chief Administrative Officer in receiving the award in Montreal last week, noted that "we are pleased to be able to share this learning with other municipalities who may find themselves faced with the question of what to do in the face of pending disaster. This award is a testament to the fine work and dedication of our staff. It really recognizes the value and high caliber of thinking within the City". Rudolph added "in the end the preparation of this team building exercise was as valuable as the document itself.' Mayor MacLean was delighted to accept the award. "We have developed a culture of responsiveness and professionalism in this organization and this award recognizes that on a national basis. I'm very proud of everyone who played a part in creating this document."

This is the second national CAMA award for Pitt Meadows in the last three years. Pitt Meadows has been recognized provincially and nationally for its work on its annual report and corporate business planning.

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CAMA 2008 AWARD RECEPIENTS

WILLIS AWARD FOR INNOVATION
for a municipality with a population over 20,000
Town of Markham
"Click with Markham" - A Unique Public Engagement Program

WILLIS AWARD FOR INNOVATION
for a municipality with a population under 20,000
Leduc County
Leduc County Road Reconstruction - Cold in Place Program

EDUCATION AWARD
for a municipality with a population over 20,000
City of London
Richard Ivey School of Business: Management Foundations Program - Driving Organizational Change

EDUCATION AWARD
for a municipality with a population under 20,000
City of Pitt Meadows
Flood Response Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
for a municipality with a population over 20,000
City of Richmond
Terra Nova Rural Park - Respecting Our Past and Living Our Future

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Pitt Meadows Wins National Award for Flood Response Manual

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