May 3, 1996
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Emergency Preparedness Week May 6-12, 1996

Arthur D. Reid, minister responsible for emergency measures, announced today that the week of May 6 to May 12 is to be declared as Emergency Preparedness Week throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Hazardous Materials and You" is the theme selected for the 1996 Emergency Preparedness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"This special week will focus public attention on the contributions of all those involved in emergency planning and response and it will underline the importance of emergency preparedness," said Mr. Reid.

Mr. Reid said Emergency Preparedness Week is an ideal time for city, town and community councils to raise awareness of the risk of disaster and the need for emergency preparedness.

"It is our hope that all communities will adopt plans to enable them to effectively cope with disaster," said Mr. Reid. "A crisis is not the time to build communications and support networks, establish procedures, identify resources and develop lines of responsibility. All of these elements should be incorporated into a plan well in advance of any emergency."

There are several key messages which will be promoted during EPW including the fact that the risk of disaster is very real:

• emergency preparedness can significantly reduce the level of human/financial loss resulting from a disaster; and
• emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility; we all have a role to play in ensuring preparedness in our homes, place of work, and our community;
• the task of ensuring preparedness in responding to emergencies is one that never ends;
• while every emergency will be different, the basic response strategy will be the same;
• effective disaster preparedness is based on education and training.

Mr. Reid said emergency response and preparedness is an important concern for all levels of government, as well as those in the private sector.

"We must be prepared to effectively cope with emergencies if we are to protect life, property and the environment," said Mr. Reid.

The minister said the Emergency Measures Division of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs will encourage all communities to actively support Emergency Preparedness Week.

Contact: Gary Callahan, (709) 729-3142.

BACKGROUNDER

THE EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION

The Emergency Measures Division of Municipal and Provincial Affairs is responsible for the development and maintenance of effective provincial emergency preparedness, response and recovery measures to mitigate the human suffering and loss of property caused by emergencies and disasters in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Specific responsibilities are to:

• provide a leadership role in emergency planning for the provincial government and its agencies,
• provide advice and assistance to municipal governments in emergency planning,
• provide advice and assistance to industry in emergency planning,
• coordinate provincial assistance in response to an emergency,
• provide training for provincial government staff, municipal officials, volunteers and the public,
• administer the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) Program,
• administer the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP).

_____________________________________ Canada
Province of Newfoundland
Emergency Preparedness Week
A Proclamation

WHEREAS             1990 began the United Nations International Decade
                    of Natural Disaster Mitigation, and

WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the public benefit provided by the emergency planning and response activities of volunteers, industry and local government throughout the Province, and WHEREAS the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, upon behalf of all citizens, deems it appropriate to recognize the public safety benefits provided by all emergency planners and response agencies, and WHEREAS it is considered prudent to further encourage and promote emergency preparedness, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that May 6-May 12 be known as Emergency Preparedness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador as to applaud the volunteer efforts of the dedicated men and women who are actively involved in emergency response and preparedness. 1996 05 03 10:15 a.m.