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. |