911 EMERGENCIES AND SAFETY ON THE RIVER

Forest fires, emergency reporting: 2023 was a record year for forest fires across the country with record temperatures and long dry periods. Environmental sources are predicting that 2024 will also be a hot year for Canada. As residents and cottagers of the French River Delta, it often falls to us to be policing campers with respect to inappropriate fires. These can be fires lit during a ban or too large during risky conditions. Campers have also been known to not have properly extinguished a fire before vacating a site. To report a fire on the French River, one can dial 310-FIRE. In the French River Provincial Park, if at any time there is a fire taking place at a campsite while a fire ban is on, please call the Killarney Cluster Duty Officer at 705-669-7124. Provide as much detail as you can about the campers (number of people, number of watercrafts, type of watercraft, license, etc.) and the office will dispatch someone as soon as they can. The phone is monitored 24 hours a day and if you leave a message, it will be addressed. Many of the residents of the French River Delta have participated more than once in a Firesmart Program put on by the membership and municipality staff. Through education projects like this and through experience during the Parry Sound 33 fire, residents are aware that they should have a plan in place in the event that evacuation due to fire is necessary. The program also identifies measures that can be taken on individual private properties to prevent the spread of fire. Such items include clearing fuel sources such as dry pine needles, dead trees and stored wood away from building perimeters and roofs.

In the even of a need for emergency services, 911 calls: In the event of an emergency within the Delta boundaries warranting emergency assistance, get to a location where you can get a signal to dial 911. Campsites, we are advised by the park now have a GPS co-ordinate posted. Other helpful hints include going to Google Maps on your phone. If you are able and meeting emergency services at the marina, provide the marina address for Hartley Bay Marina as 2870 Hartley Bay Road and for Smith Marina as 9 Pickerel and Lower French River Road, Alban. This following information was obtained by speaking with Hartley Bay Marina, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, OPP dispatch, Ornge and Jim Rook, Delta Association past chairperson:

1. In the event of an emergency Call 911 first, not Hartley Bay Marina or Smith Marine.

2. For a medical emergency get out via Hartley Bay or Smith Marine; EMS has both locations noted if an ambulance is required.

3. Always carry your cell phone and ensure it is charged. Cell boosters can be purchased for Marine use. One brand that the membership is familiar with is Smoothtalker.

4. It is a good idea to share with others where you are going especially when travelling alone.

5. If you are immobile, provide your GPS coordinates ((i) cottage coordinates should be known to all with a sign or a note on the fridge; ( ii) other locations best to use “what3words”, recommended by OPP dispatch). 911 can sometimes identify your location from the cell phone tower and positioning technology from the cell phone carrier, however this is not always reliable.

6. Load the free “what3words” App and save all common/important locations.

7. By 2025 all designated campsite signs will have GPS coordinates at the bottom of the signs. Some are already in place.

what3words

The App what3words recognizes every 3m2 in the world and identifies the location with three words. With your cell phone, from a saved location or your current location click “Share” and you can send your 3 word identifier to someone via text.

DISCLAIMER: : Please be prepared when visiting the French River Delta. Do your own research as this information was obtained through third parties and is meant as a guide only. The French River Delta Association is not responsible for your preparedness or safety on the river.