NLIS 5
May 3, 2005
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)
 

The following statement was issued today by Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to inform honourable members about a very important national campaign, Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs from May 1-7. This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness among Canadians on the importance of preparing for potential emergencies.

Over the years, we have personally seen the devastation from emergency situations. In 2001, we were impacted by the terrorist attacks in the United States and, as well, torrential rain from Hurricane Gabrielle caused extensive flooding in many areas of St. John�s. In 2003, water and ice quickly engulfed one third of the Town of Badger. Also in 2003, heavy rains caused extensive damage in Corner Brook and many west coast municipalities. Other areas of our province have also suffered from localized flooding or the threat of flooding most recently in Steady Brook last December and parts of the Burin Peninsula just last month.

Emergency preparedness begins with the individual. Each and every one of us must be prepared in the event of an emergency situation. We are all responsible for emergency preparedness whether it is on a municipal, provincial or federal level. The effects of disaster, whether natural or human-caused, can greatly reduce and impact the basic necessities of life. Access to communication, transportation, food, clean water, finances, education, health care, housing and employment can all be affected during a disaster situation.

Although we cannot always protect ourselves when an emergency situation arises, we can be better prepared for it. There are three simple steps we should all take to help us be prepared. First, we should all keep an emergency supply kit in our homes and cars. Second, we should also make a family emergency plan so that everyone will know what to do and how to contact each other in an emergency. Last, we should learn about past disasters that have happened where we live and work so that we can be ready if they happen again.

I would also encourage municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure that their emergency plans are up to date. For those municipalities which do not yet have emergency plans, I would encourage them to develop their plans as soon as possible. We have seen how effective emergency plans can be from the recent EMCO fire in Mount Pearl.

I encourage everyone to visit the Emergency Preparedness web site at www.EPweek.ca to learn how you can be better prepared in the event of a disaster.

Knowing the risk you face is the first step to being prepared. It is up to each of us to learn about and prepare for potential emergencies. Prepare now! Learn how!

Photo #1: Emergency Preparedness Week 2005 proclamation signing


2005 05 03                                       1:45 p.m.


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