Minister announces details of Flood to Fires Training Program

Today, Minister of Municipal Affairs Jack Byrne, announced details for the commencement of the Flood to Fires Firefighter Training Program in the Town of Stephenville.

In September of 2005, Stephenville and the surrounding area were hit hard by record amounts of rainfall. The subsequent flooding caused over 100 families to be displaced, leaving many homes and small businesses destroyed or severely damaged. While this tragedy had a tremendous impact on the residents of the area it will now provide a unique opportunity for fire safety and emergency response training. After careful consideration, the provincial government has approved a plan to use the acquired structures for this major training exercise. The Flood to Fires training is planned for September to October.

�Sometimes opportunities present themselves in the most awkward of situations,� said Minister Byrne. �The Flood to Fires Training Program has presented us with a valuable opportunity for fire and police services personnel province-wide to carry out training in vacant homes within the Stephenville Flood Control Zone that were otherwise scheduled for demolition. My department will be providing some financial assistance to help municipalities cover the costs associated with attending this important training.�

Joan Burke, MHA for the District of St. George�s-Stephenville East also views this exercise as a unique opportunity for the area. �While the people who have been displaced have obviously gone through a tremendous ordeal, perhaps there is some comfort in knowing that their homes will play a special role in training some of our most valuable emergency personnel.�

Stephenville Mayor Tom O�Brien noted the economic impact that Flood to Fires will have on the Bay St. George area. �We see this as an excellent opportunity,� said Mayor O�Brien. �The arrival of firefighters and police personnel from across Newfoundland and Labrador will deliver a positive economic impact that is welcome at this time. Also, the high level of focus this unique event will place on Stephenville and the Bay St. George area affords us a great chance to show and promote all that we have to offer here.�

Flood to Fires is a comprehensive training program devised by Newfoundland and Labrador Fire and Emergency Services. It is being offered to career and volunteer fire services and professional police services around Newfoundland and Labrador and will involve practical hands-on live training with a multi-discipline and multi-jurisdictional approach.

�This type of training provides the most realistic and challenging training possible,� said Fred Hollett, director of fire and emergency services. �Live fire instruction is the pinnacle of fire training, and we have encouraged as many experienced firefighters as possible to participate.�

There will be 10 separate training sessions over the coming weeks, and fire and police services will have a choice of different scenarios in which to take part. �This training will mean highly-controlled and well-monitored exercises throughout the flood zone and furthermore, will pose no potential risks to the public or surrounding residents,� said Mr. Hollett. �Our intention is to provide a valuable exercise that is respectful of a community that has already gone through so much in the past year.�

Details of the Flood to Fires Training Program can be obtained from the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters web site located at www.nlafcff.nf.ca/.

Media contact: John Tompkins, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498 or jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2006 09 05                                   11:30 a.m.