Storm Preparation Guidelines

When winter weather hits, it is always best to be overprepared rather than underprepared. To this end, the Municipality of the County of Inverness has prepared a downloadable and printable storm preparation checklist for residents.  Download it here: Printable Storm Checklist

Storm Preparation Guidelines

Before the storm

• Test your generator to make sure it works and have a supply of fuel ready.
• Prepare non-perishable food such as sandwiches, granola bars, and fruit. Make sure you have a supply of drinking water appropriate for the size of your family, as well as baby formula and diapers if necessary.
• If you are on a well, fill your bathtub with water so that you have a source of water if the power goes out.
• If you are using a generator that is hardwired into your home, make sure that you isolate your home from the power grid.
• Charge your devices, flashlights and radios.
• Secure any outdoor furniture or loose debris.
• If you are using a generator, make sure that it remains in a well-ventilated area OUTSIDE your home.
• Help friends and neighbours prepare similarly if necessary.
• Remember, it is always better to be overprepared than underprepared!

During the storm

• For the duration of the storm, it is important for people to follow instructions from their local government, fire department and emergency services.
• Stay off the roads and keep vehicles off the streets so that snowplows can clear roads as soon as possible.
• If you heat your home with a pellet stove, propane, or natural gas, and you have a direct exhaust system for your furnace, make sure the air inlet and exhaust outlet remain clear of snow.
• Under no circumstances should you attempt to heat your house or cook inside with a BBQ or camp stove. These devices produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
• If power goes out and you are using candles to light your house, makes sure that candles aren’t left unattended.
• If power goes out, conserve water diligently, especially if you are a user of a Municipal water system.
• If power goes out, make sure you turn off any appliances you had on when the power went out. Confirm your stove/oven is off.
• If power goes out, close off any rooms that aren’t being used in order to conserve heat in your home.
• If the power goes out, you can help yourself stay warm by avoiding alcohol and making sure you keep your body fueled by eating snacks and meals regularly.
• For emergencies, call 9-1-1 and do not attempt to drive yourself to a hospital or health centre.

After the storm

• If the power is still out, users of Municipal water systems must conserve water diligently.
• Stay away from downed power lines. Even if you think you recognize the line as a telephone or cable line, it could still be energized.
• When the snow stops, and you start to dig out, remember not to overexert yourself. Take frequent breaks, remain hydrated, and if you don’t feel well, stop!
• When it is safe to do so, check the snow load on the roof of your house, garage, shed or barn.
• Most importantly, check in with friends, family and neighbours to let them know you are okay.

 

Emergency contacts

In an emergency, call 9-1-1

Fire chiefs

Lake Ainslie Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Mike Gillis 902-224-0147

 

Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: James Cavanagh H: 902-625-0110

C: 902-302-1751

 

Margaree Forks Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Robert MacLeod 902-248-2115

 

West Bay Road Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Daniel Shaw H: 902-345-2235

C: 902-623-2469

 

Port Hood Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Donald Francis Beaton H: 902-787-2845

C: 902-631-1078

 

Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Justin Usher 902-574-7504

 

Mabou Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Lloyd Campbell 902-945-2957

 

North East Margaree Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Shawn Burchell 902-248-2589

 

Judique Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Archie MacDonald H: 902-787-2537

C: 902-787-3401

 

Brigade de feu de Chéticamp Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Wayne Chiasson 902-224-0031

 

Blues Mills Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Carl Ferguson 902-756-2195

 

Inverness Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Ian Poirier 902-258-5450

 

Brigade de feu de LeMoine Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Alfred Aucoin H: 902-224-3529

C: 902-224-0044

 

Pleasant Bay Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Murray Pattingale 902-224-1239

 

Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Shawn Harrison H: 902-945-2677

C: 902-623-2905

 

Waycobah Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: John William Cremo 902-623-1850

Inverness County RCMP Detachments

Chéticamp Office

902-224-2050

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Inverness Office

902-258-2213

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Waycobah Office

902-756-3371

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Port Hawkesbury Office

902-625-2220

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Other Important Numbers

Emergency Municipal Hotline

902-258-5048

Emergency Measures Organization

(Dispatches local coordinator – 24 hrs/day)

1-902-424-5620

Environmental Emergencies (24 hrs/day)

1-800-565-1633

Aircraft & Marine Distress (24 hrs/day)

1-800-565-1582

Poison Control (24 hrs/day)

1-800-565-8161

 

Updated Solid Waste Collection Schedule for Jan 10th – 16th 2020

Notice for all residents / Avis pour tous les résidents

Below is an updated solid waste collection schedule for the coming week, barring further severe weather events and mechanical issues. The Municipality would also like to remind residents that if their garbage boxes are not cleared of snow or ice, operators will be unable to collect their bags. Please ensure your garbage box is not frozen shut or too heavy to lift prior to collection.

If you’re unsure which route is your residence’s, visit: https://invernesscounty.ca/services/infraemerg/garbage-collection-routes/

Vous trouverez ci-dessous un calendrier de collecte des déchets solides mis à jour pour la semaine à venir, à moins que d’autres événements météorologiques et problèmes mécaniques ne surviennent.  La municipalité tient également à rappeler aux résidents que si leurs boîtes à ordures ne sont pas déneigées ou déglacées, les opérateurs ne pourront pas ramasser leurs sacs.  Veuillez vous assurer que votre boîte à ordures n’est pas gelée ou trop lourde pour lever avant la collecte.

Si vous n’êtes pas certain quelle route est la vôtre, visitez : https://invernesscounty.ca/services/infraemerg/garbage-collection-routes/

NORTHERN ROUTE / ROUTE NORD

Friday, Jan 10 – Thursday and Friday’s collection
Le vendredi 10 janvier – Collection de jeudi et vendredi

Saturday, Jan 11 – Thursday and Friday’s collection
Le samedi 11 janvier – Collection de jeudi et vendredi

Wednesday, Jan 15 – Double collection from previous Wednesday
Le mercredi 15 janvier – Collection double du mercredi précédent

CENTRAL ROUTE / ROUTE CENTRALE

Friday, Jan 10 – Regular collection plus Hunters Rd, Rocky Ridge Rd, Glenora Falls & Murphy’s Hill
Le vendredi 10 janvier – Collection régulière plus Hunters Rd, Rocky Ridge Rd, Glenora Falls et Murphy’s Hill

Saturday, Jan 11 – Thursday’s collection
Le Samedi 11 janvier – Collection de jeudi

Wednesday, Jan 15 – Double collection from previous Wednesday
Le mercredi 15 janvier – Collection double du mercredi précédent

SOUTHERN ROUTE / ROUTE SUD

Friday, Jan 10 – Wednesday’s collection
Le vendredi 10 janvier – Collection de mercredi

Saturday, Jan 11 – Tuesday’s collection
Le samedi 11 janvier – Collection du mardi

Thursday, Jan 16 – Double collection from previous Thursday
Le jeudi 16 janvier – Collection double du jeudi precedent

Municipality to Contract Solid Waste Collection

INVERNESS COUNTY, NS – The Municipality of the County of Inverness Council passed a motion at the December 5^th regular Council meeting to contract solid waste collection. Green For Life Environmental (GFL) has been awarded the contract based on the company’s detailed submission to the Municipality’s request for proposal for curbside solid waste collection.

“GFL has the experience and capacity to ensure a consistent high level of service,” says CAO Keith MacDonald. “This partnership will be beneficial for both residents concerned about garbage collection and the Municipality.”

Staff completed a detailed review of the proposal submitted by GFL in Spring 2019. GFL is a North American leader in solid waste management and other environmental services. They are known for their commitment to safety, customer service and cost-effective solutions. Along with their 8 regional offices in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, GFL has a bilingual community concerns line, will follow and enforce any Municipal by-law changes, and has in-house maintenance capabilities, among other value-added assets.

Residents should expect the new service to begin by April 1^st, 2020. Any modifications to the current pickup schedules will be published in advance.

Full-time Municipal employees affected by these changes will have the option of continuing their work through GFL or being relocated to another Municipal department. The current Municipal fleet will be purchased by GFL at fair market value.

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Media contact:

Karolyn Aucoin
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist / Spécialiste en communications et engagement communautaire
Municipality of the County of Inverness / Municipalité du Comté d’Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Ph: 902-787-3517
Cell: 902-258-7513
www.invernesscounty.ca

Inverary Manor Mock Emergency Exercise

Inverary Manor will be staging a mock exercise of our Emergency Plan between the hours of 5pm and 9pm on Wednesday, October 30^th, 2019. This is a mandated requirement from the Department of Health and Wellness and one that all nursing homes in the province conduct from time to time.

We want to emphasize that this emergency exercise is not real. However, the response activities will be practiced in a manner that is as realistic as possible, including the participation of Emergency Services Partners (Fire Depts. etc.).

This exercise is not open to the public and during the period of the exercise, access to our building will be limited to staff and our participating Emergency Services Partners only. If you are planning to visit Inverary Manor on October 30, 2019, we ask that you please do so before 5pm.

We assure you this is a mock exercise, not a real emergency, and our residents will be well taken care of throughout the entire exercise. Family members are not expected to participate.

Inverary Manor is committed to a high quality of safety, service and care for our residents, their families and our community. Our mock emergency exercise is one of many examples of our working to ensure we deliver on these commitments.

If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Smith, Director Recreation Services (902-258-2842 ext. 241) or Stephen Doiron, Administrator (902-258-2842 ext. 228)

Thank you for your understanding.

Stephen Doiron

Administrator

Boil Water Advisory No Longer in Effect for Sight Point Residents

To:  Users of the Inverness (Village) Water Utility

September 17^th, 2019

The Municipality of the County of Inverness would like to inform the public that the boil water advisory is no longer in effect for residents of Sight Point on the Broad Cove Banks Road. Water Utility Customers located in Sight Point are free to consume water without boiling it.

The Municipality apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused and thanks you for your understanding and cooperation during this process.

Please share this information with neighbours, friends, and those who may not receive this notice such as seniors or those living alone.

For further information please contact 902-258-5048.

 

Boil Water Advisory: Broad Cove Banks Road & Sight Point

September 13^th, 2019, 1:30pm

Please be informed that the customers of the Inverness (Village) Water System living in the Sight Point area of Broad Cove Banks Road are currently under a boil water advisory as a public health preventative action.

Water will be shut off at 200 Broad Cove Banks Road before 2pm on September 13^th, 2019 so that repairs to the infrastructure can take place.

Residents and users are advised to follow preventive measures using water to ensure its safety prior to consumption or use:

• Bring tap water to a rolling boil and maintain for a minimum of 1-2 minutes
• Cool water before using for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing beverages and food.

Please share widely with neighbours, friends, visitors, and members of vulnerable populations such as seniors who may be living alone.

For further information please contact 902-258-5048.

Emergency Contact List

Municipal Emergency Services Coordination: 902-258-5048

In an emergency, call 9-1-1

Fire chiefs

Lake Ainslie Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Michael Gillis (902) 756-2790

 

Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: James Cavanagh (902) 625-2048

 

Margaree Forks Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Robert MacLeod (902) 248-2115

 

West Bay Road Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Daniel Shaw (902) 345-2235 Cell (902) 623-2469

 

Port Hood Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Donald Francis Beaton (902) 787-2845

 

Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Justin Usher 902 574-7504

 

Mabou Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Lloyd Campbell (902) 945-2957

 

North East Margaree Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Shawn Burchell (902) 248-2589

 

Judique Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Archie MacDonald (902) 787-3401

 

Chéticamp Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Wayne Chiasson 902-224-0031

 

Blues Mills Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Carl Ferguson (902) 756-2195

 

Inverness Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Michael MacIsaac (902) 258-3699

 

LeMoine Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Alfred Aucoin (902) 224-3529 (H) 224-0044 (cell)

 

Pleasant Bay Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Murray Pattingale (902) 224-1239

 

Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: Shawn Harrison (902) 945-2677

 

Waycobah Volunteer Fire Department

Chief: John William Cremo (902) 623-1850

 

Inverness County RCMP Detachments

 

Chéticamp Office

902-224-2050

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Inverness Office

902-258-2213

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Waycobah Office

902-756-3371

Toll Free 1-800-440-1323

Port Hawkesbury Office

902-625-2220

Toll Free 1-800-400-1323

 

Other Important Numbers

Emergency Measures Organization

(Dispatches local coordinator – 24 hrs/day)

1-902-258-5048

Environmental Emergencies (24 hrs/day)

1-800-565-1633

Aircraft & Marine Distress (24 hrs/day)

1-800-565-1582

Poison Control (24 hrs/day)

1-800-565-8161

 

Former School Board Office For Sale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9th, 2019

PORT HASTINGS, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness is selling the former headquarters of the Strait Regional School Board (now the Strait Regional Centre for Education). Interested parties can view information on the build here: CLOSED

The 7,900 sq. ft. building, which sits on 7 acres of land in beautiful and friendly Port Hastings, was originally built in 1963 as a school and later converted into an office building complete with a large parking lot, a reception area and lobby, a large board room, two kitchenettes, a fully-functioning water heater and 15 office spaces. The building has full three-phase electrical hook-up as well as access to municipal sewer and water services and local community transportation services. It has been well-maintained throughout the years and requires minimal updating, with great potential for development.

Port Hastings is the main gateway to Cape Breton and is a central point for the Strait of Canso area of Nova Scotia. “It is an exciting time to live and work in Inverness County, and many businesses could thrive at the location in Port Hastings,” said Keith MacDonald, CAO of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. “It’s the iconic gateway to the rest of the Island.”

Inspection is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment and for more information, please call Debbie Nicholson at 902-787-3501.

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Media Contact:

Keith MacDonald, CAO

902-787-3501 / 902-258-5999

Keith.MacDonald@invernesscounty.ca

 

Port Hood Boil Water Advisory

NOTICE: BOIL WATER ADVISORY

To:  All users of the Port Hood Water System

July 18^th, 2019

Please be informed that the customers of the Port Hood Water System are currently under a boil water advisory as a public health preventative action.

Municipal staff perform weekly water sampling on all the water distribution systems throughout the Municipality for testing and analysis. Four samples are taken from the Port Hood system at various locations. One of the four samples tested positive for possible bacterial contamination. Municipal staff are resampling at that one location and working to get test results back as soon as possible.

In the meantime, residents and users are advised to follow preventive measures using water to ensure its safety prior to consumption or use:

• Bring tap water to a rolling boil and maintain for a minimum of 1-2 minutes
• Cool water before using for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing beverages and food.

Please share widely with neighbours, friends, visitors, and members of vulnerable populations such as seniors who may be living alone.

For further information please contact the following:

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm: 902-787-3503 or 902-787-3502

Evenings/weekends 902-258-5048

Port Hood Water Conservation Advisory

ATTENTION WATER CUSTOMERS OF PORT HOOD: PLEASE SHARE WIDELY

Port Hood Water Reservoir at a Critical Level

The Port Hood Water Reservoir is at a critically low level. Unless serious conservation efforts are taken in earnest by residents and businesses within the serviced area, Municipal staff estimate that the community will be out of water within approximately 4 to 5 days.