For many, the total solar eclipse on April 8 will be a once in a lifetime event, which is why the municipality is preparing for an influx of people.
The total eclipse is only visible within a very narrow path, which Chatham-Kent is in, making it a prime viewing location.
During Monday night's council meeting, Ward 2 Councillor Trevor Thompson asked CK administration what traffic and safety measures are being planned in the area for the event.
"We actually had an eclipse planning meeting today, for the emergency services," explained Fire Chief Chris Case.
"Chatham-Kent police have a traffic plan in place. We will be staffing every fire station in Chatham-Kent. We will be putting a boat on the water, because we're quite concerned a lot of people will take to the water. So, there'll be a boat on the lake and there will also be a boat in the bay. And between Fire and EMS there will be a forward command point, a sort of medical centre, at Erieau Fire Hall," Case said.
The Fire Chief added that he wasn't aware of any large-scale events being planned on the day although he does expect plenty of people in the area.
Thompson advised municipal staff members that there's no question that people will flock to the area, the only question is how many. "People come from around the globe to check these out," he said.
CK's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michael Duben confirmed that staff is also working on a plan for the event. "There's been a committee working at this very closely," he said.
"Some of our concerns tie into what others are doing," Duben added, using schools as an example. In February, a number of school boards changed the date of their April PA days so students would be able to witness the eclipse.
In the Chatham-Kent area, the eclipse will take place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the sun expected to be totally hidden around 3:15 p.m.
If you do plan to view the eclipse, make sure to have the proper eye protection, as looking directly at the sun during this time can be incredibly damaging to your eyes.
If you plan to pick up solar eclipse viewing glasses, make sure they are ISO approved. If you're unable to find ISO-certified glasses, NASA has some tips about how to view the eclipse without looking into the sky.
A precise timeline of the eclipse in CK can be seen here.
