UPDATE: Local state of emergency in Pangnirtung - April 3, 2015
Emergency Bulletin
UPDATE: Local state of emergency in Pangnirtung
April 3, 2015 - CURRENT UPDATE: 11:30 a.m.
Iqaluit, NU
The Hamlet of Pangnirtung declared a local state of emergency on April 2, 2015 due to a fire at the power plant, resulting in community-wide power outages.
The Government of Nunavut (GN) and Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC), along with several of its territorial and federal partners, have taken swift action to ensure the safety of residents of Pangnirtung and restore power services to the community.
QEC confirmed that partial power to the community was restored on the evening of Thursday, April 2. Efforts are being made to rotate power on a regular four hour rotation until full power is restored to the community. Residents are reminded to conserve power for basic necessities.
Additional emergency power generators are being flown in from the Northwest Territories to help relieve the strain on the QEC backup emergency generators, and to support critical infrastructure, such as the health centre and airport.
Nunavut Emergency Management has procured smaller stand-alone power generators and flew mechanical staff to Pangnirtung on April 2 to set them up.
Northwestel sent a generator and staff to the community on April 2 to power their earth station, which provides local landline phone services. They will provide service updates to customers as they become available.
The Department of Health safely transported 14 patients to Iqaluit for continuing care on April 2.
The Office of the Fire Marshal will conduct inspections at the power plant in the coming days to assess damage and identify the source of the fire.
Warming shelters have been established at the schools and persons in the community requiring assistance should present themselves there. The 795 Iqaluit Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets have supplied cots, mattresses and blankets for the warming shelter.
On April 2, local Canadian Rangers conducted a door-to-door survey yesterday to identify residents in need of assistance, and to remind residents of safety precautions to take at home. Rangers are also assisting at the warming shelters at the local schools.
Residents are reminded to conserve water and practice safe hygiene practices (hand washing, waste management) until all services are restored.
If using portable heating devices in the home, ensure proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Barbecues should never be used indoors.
The GN would like to extend its gratitude to all of the partnering departments, agencies and community organizations for their continued assistance in responding to this emergency.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: An update will be provided on Saturday morning.
Media Contact:
Hillary Casey
Information Officer
Nunavut Emergency Management
867-975-5342