Rescue Efforts Enhanced Via Deployment of Extra Specialized Resources to Collapsed Algo Centre Mall

This is an update to my previous blog City of Toronto Sent Emergency HUSAR Task Force to Elliot Lake on June 23, 2012.

Premier McGuinty released the following statement yesterday evening (June 25) on rescue operations in Elliot Lake:

“Ontarians have been hoping and praying that rescuers could reach any survivors in the rubble of the collapsed Algo Mall in Elliot Lake.

Today, we learned that the remaining structure has de-stabilized further. Authorities on the scene believe it has become extremely difficult to predict whether it may collapse and that further rescue efforts could endanger the lives of the rescuers.

I have spoken to Emergency Management Ontario and the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team and have instructed them to determine if there is any other way possible to reach any victims without endangering our rescuers, including the use of equipment to dismantle the building from the exterior.

I believe we owe it to the families waiting for word of their loved ones to leave no stone unturned. We owe that to the people of Elliot Lake too. Ontarians expect nothing less.”
Ontario Premier McGuinty

Today, Ontario is co-ordinating the deployment of additional resources to enhance the rescue operations at the collapsed Algo Centre Mall in Northern Ontario’s Elliot Lake.

Specialized resources to support rescue efforts in Algo Centre Mall collapse include:

A large specialized crane and other heavy equipment from Priestly Demolition Inc.

Robots designed for mine rescue operations, equipped with cameras and sound equipment.

The province is working with Canadian Forces, who have offered any support required by emergency responders on the scene.

A civil engineer and mining engineer from Vale Inco are on standby to provide advice.

A Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team from Manitoba is standing by.

Other resources are being identified and placed on standby to be deployed as needed.

For more info on the Elliot Lake emergency, please click here.

Also, please click here for info on Emergency Management Ontario (EMO).

Ontario, Canada: Newsroom

PRESS RELEASE

Rescue Efforts Resume in Elliot Lake

June 26, 2012

McGuinty Government Co-ordinating Specialized Resources to Support Rescue Efforts in Mall Collapse

Ontario is co-ordinating the deployment of additional resources to help in the rescue operations at the collapsed Algo Centre Mall in Northern Ontario’s Elliot Lake.

More resources are arriving to help in the rescue efforts, including:

A large specialized crane and other heavy equipment from Priestly Demolition Inc.
Robots designed for mine rescue operations, equipped with cameras and sound equipment.
The province is working with Canadian Forces, who have offered any support required by emergency responders on the scene.
A civil engineer and mining engineer from Vale Inco are on standby to provide advice.
A Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team from Manitoba is standing by.
Other resources are being identified and placed on standby to be deployed as needed.

The McGuinty government is committed to exhausting all alternatives in these rescue efforts in order to bring peace of mind to those families waiting for word of their loved ones.

QUOTES

“We have taken this step in an effort to support the outstanding efforts of those emergency responders and agencies already on site. We appreciate their ongoing dedication and hard work in this difficult and demanding situation.”

– Madeleine Meilleur
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

QUICK FACTS

Already onsite are 37 members and a structural engineer of Toronto Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR), along with 10 members and 2 medics of OPP Urban Search and Rescue, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Response Team (UCRT).