By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County is often approached to make commemorative declarations, and is usually agreeable. However, the ones declared at the April county council meeting are especially timely during a COVID-19 emergency.
Before reading off the motions to make six declarations, Warden Bob Sanderson said the first four were noteworthy.
“Many proclamations made by Northumberland County happen on an annual basis, but it’s worth noting we are recognizing people and events that are particularly significant, given the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sanderson said.
“I am sure that I speak for all of us when I offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our first responders and volunteers who are working tirelessly during these trying times.
“And not just the first responders – we are all going out there and seeing people who are supporting these essential services like pharmacies and groceries. These people also need to be thanked during this process as well.”
The first four declarations to which Sanderson was referring followed.
Emergency Preparedness Week, May 3 to 9
The goal of Emergency Preparedness Week is to raise community awareness of the need to prepare for emergencies. The declaration encourages everyone to prepare now for a strong and secure tomorrow by contacting their municipal offices to obtain emergency-preparedness information.
First Responders Day, May 1
This declaration honours paramedics, police officers, fire fighters, nurses, doctors, medical-evacuation air-crew members, emergency managers, roads-maintenance personnel and military personnel – the people who, in the early stages of an emergency, assume responsibility for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence and the environment with expertise and skills that can make a life-and-death difference. The Ontario legislature declared May 1 of each year should be First Responders Day, and the declaration focuses on the vital contributions made by the first responders of Northumberland.
National Volunteer Week, April 19 to 26
This declaration recognizes the 12.7-million Canadians who volunteer almost two-billion hours a year in such tasks as mentoring children, feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, beautifying public spaces and fundraising for other vital services. In Northumberland, they come in all ages and circumstances, working in such sites as the Golden Plough Lodge, Food 4 All Warehouse, Business and Entrepreneurship Centre and in vast numbers in schools, hospitals, churches and service clubs.
Day of Mourning, April 28
This day recognizes Canadians killed, disabled or injured in the workplace, and reflects the county’s belief that no job is so urgent that time and care cannot be taken to ensure all measures are taken to eliminate workplace hazards that cause injury, harassment and violence to employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors.
Two additional requests for proclamations were received, which council approved.
Health and Safety Week, May 3 to 9
The goal of Health and Safety Week is to focus everyone’s attention on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.
Dig Safe Month, April 2020
This request acknowledges some 4,500 incidents a year of damage to Ontario’s underground infrastructure caused by excavation activities, and it comes from the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance that was founded in 2003 to enhance public safety and utility reliability through a unified approach to effective and efficient damage prevention.
