Essex Town Councillor Kim Verbeek wonders if the municipality could better protect its vulnerable residents during severe weather and prolonged power outages.
She plans to ask town councillors tonight if they would support compiling a list of those residents and having someone check in on them during those emergencies.
"A few years ago, I served on the climate adaptation team that put together the climate adaptation plan, and it was a recommendation in the report," said Verbeek. "Coupled with a lot of the storms last year, and we have residents out in the community that don't have a lot of support."
Verbeek said the list of those who want that support would be voluntary.
As for who would do the checking in, she isn't sure. She hopes a future report to councillors will outline those details, but she has ideas.
"Perhaps maybe our fire department or our EMS. It depends on the size of the list," Verbeek said. "Or something similar to the Snow Angels where we would just link a group or some community volunteers, you know if you're willing to check in on some of the individuals."
Verbeek said she's not aware of any municipalities that perform the community service but said if it's adopted elsewhere, maybe Essex could serve as a test market.
