May 6, 1996
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Support for emergency preparedness in Springdale

The federal commitment toward a new emergency communications system for the Town of Springdale was announced today by George Baker, MP - Gander � Grand Falls, on behalf of David Collenette, minister responsible for Emergency Preparedness.

The Town of Springdale and the federal government are each committing $20,722 toward the purchase of communications equipment to serve Springdale and the surrounding area in the event of a major emergency.

"As this is Emergency Preparedness Week," said Mr. Baker, "today's announcement is a timely reminder of the importance of all levels of government, volunteers and the private sector working together to ensure our communities are as well prepared as possible to cope with emergencies that could threaten lives and property."

"Today's announcement demonstrates the federal government's continuing commitment to support local and provincial efforts to improve emergency preparedness and response in Newfoundland and Labrador communities," said Arthur Reid, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and minister responsible for Emergency Measures in Newfoundland.

Federal and provincial funds totalling $358,650 have also been approved for the Emergency Measures Organization for its ongoing emergency preparedness program that includes assisting municipalities to develop and test emergency plans and operating a provincial emergency operations centre. The federal and provincial governments are also jointly funding province-wide training programs for emergency social services providers and another for emergency responders and planners.

In addition to the project in Springdale, emergency preparedness projects initiated by four other Newfoundland communities have also been approved to receive federal funding totalling approximately $29,600 in the upcoming year.

The federal funding was made available under the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) which enables the federal government to contribute to, or to undertake jointly with the provinces and territories, emergency preparedness projects that help ensure a reasonably uniform level of emergency preparedness and response across the country.

The funds announced today were provided for in the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. It is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

Since JEPP began in 1980, the federal government's contributions toward emergency preparedness projects in Newfoundland, including the commitments announced today, will total approximately $2.6 million by the end of this fiscal year.

Contact:

     Dave Snow                                    
     Newfoundland and Labrador              
     Emergency Preparedness Canada         
     (709) 772-5522                                  

     or 

    Gary Callahan
    Regional Director                             
    Director of Public Relations
    Department of  Municipal and Provincial Affairs
    (709) 729-3142