Developing an early strategy to deal with the pandemic along with made in Strathmore solutions, was part of the plan for staff from the Town of Strathmore Pandemic Response Coordination Team.

The town received a report from Trent West, Director of Emergency Management, during the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 10.

West said that 2020 has been a unique and difficult year, but he wanted to focus on the positives.

“We’ve really done some incredibly good work,” said West.

At the meeting, West detailed the current and future activities of the Emergency Coordination Centre, pandemic response co-ordnation team before and after the State of Local Emergency.

The State of Local Emergency was enacted in Strathmore on March 16.

The report explained some of the events leading up to the pandemic here in Strathmore and the region.

West noted that the town addressed issues like overcrowded pathways and the Dog Park being full with made in Strathmore solutions. For example, the town formed a partnership with the Western Irrigation District to create about 15 km of natural pathways for the public to use.

“We developed a strategy early. Our mandate at the start was ‘stop the spread’,” he said.

“It influenced all of the decision-making that we did.”

In terms of purchases, the town looked at items that could be used even after the pandemic passed.

“We looked at endurance or legacy. Stuff that could be used after COVID. It had to have a life after COVID.”

“All of our purchases were very strategic,” said West.

He highlighted that the situation was an extreme challenge for every municipality.

“It came on fast,” he said.

He explained that the rate of how many changes were happening in the province with COVID-19 they couldn’t keep up the amount of information that was filtering down to the municipality.

“It continues to be exhausting,” said West.

He complimented the town’s communications team.

He also spoke of the high-pressure part of their job and the lack of celebration of success.

West expressed concerns about the general mental health of workers as well.

In response, the Mayor spoke of the lack of positive re-enforcement by some people on social media.

“They see the low numbers, which should be something that your group, the town, and council should celebrate, and the residents of the town should celebrate,” said the Mayor. Some people think the measures that were put in place in the town were an overreaction because the numbers are so low.

Mayor Pat Fule said the entire team was a big part of the town’s ability to keep virus numbers low.

“We should be congratulating our whole town, and the residents and your team for working so hard to keep it so low,” said Fule.