May 6, 1996
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Support for emergency preparedness in Marystown and Ramea

The federal commitment toward joint emergency preparedness projects to be undertaken in Marystown and Ramea were announced today by Roger Simmons, MP for Burin � St. George's, on behalf of David Collenette, minister responsible for Emergency Preparedness.

The Town of Marystown and the federal government are each committing $6,786 toward the purchase of computer equipment for the emergency operations centre. The Town of Ramea and the federal government are each committing $14,756 toward the purchase of an emergency communications system to serve the area in the event of a major emergency.

"As this is Emergency Preparedness Week," said Mr. Simmons, "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 who is also minister responsible for Emergency Measures in Newfoundland.

In addition to the projects in Marystown and Ramea, federal and provincial funds totalling $358,650 have 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.

Emergency preparedness projects initiated by three other Newfoundland communities have also been approved to receive federal funding totalling approximately $29,000 in the upcoming year. The federal JEPP funding is 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 are provided for in the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This 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                                            
     Regional Director                                     
     Newfoundland and Labrador                     
     Emergency Preparedness Canada               
     (709) 772-5522                                      
     or
    Gary Callahan
    Director of Public Relations 
    Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
    (709) 729-3142