Minister Commends Residents and Communities for Level of Preparedness

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, is expressing his appreciation for the efforts of residents, communities, and emergency management personnel in preparing for the potential effects of Tropical Storm Irene. Despite concern over Tropical Storm Irene, which began as a Category 3 hurricane, areas of Newfoundland and Labrador were spared any significant impact from the storm.

“I commend everyone who prepared themselves, their businesses and their communities well in advance of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Irene,” said Minister O’Brien. “Being prepared for the potential hazards is important to managing and surviving a potential emergency situation. This past week, government departments, utility providers, and communities came together to ensure we were in the best position possible to withstand the storm and assist impacted residents. Thankfully, we did not have to mobilize, but our hearts go out to those in the United States and parts of the east coast of Canada, as they begin to pick up the pieces left in Hurricane Irene’s path.”

Before being downgraded to a tropical storm this weekend, Hurricane Irene impacted the east coast of the United States and is believed to be linked to approximately 40 deaths in that country. Impacts are still being examined in Canada; however, it is known Tropical Storm Irene impacted eastern provinces with significant rain and tropical storm force winds, causing downed power lines, destroyed trees, and is potentially linked to at least one death.

“The people of Newfoundland and Labrador are all too familiar with the immense effort it takes to recover from a hurricane,” continued Minister O’Brien. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and friends who lost loved ones and who continue to deal with the aftermath.”

Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) remained in close contact with officials from Environment Canada (EC) to track the storm as it transitioned from a Category 3 hurricane to a tropical storm, and made efforts to ensure resources were ready in all regions of the province. FES-NL staff and EC officials held two conference calls leading up to Irene’s arrival with emergency management partners and interested communities, providing advice and guidance to communities who had questions related to the storm. These conference calls were attended by close to 100 participants, with between 75 and 85 individual communities represented.

The Emergency Services Act mandates all municipalities and local service districts in Newfoundland and Labrador to develop and maintain an emergency management plan by May 2012, to be able to assist officials in a situation similar to that which was experienced this past week. Resources and assistance are available through FES-NL.

“While this particular storm has now passed us by, hurricane season continues into November and this is no time to let down our guard,” noted Minister O’Brien. “Residents and communities need to plan for the potential hazards in their area. Families should develop a kit, full of the tools they may need to help them get through at least 72 hours in an emergency situation. As we have learned from previous experience, hurricanes can be very unpredictable and destructive. It is important for everyone to be prepared in the event that our province is ever impacted by another hurricane or another emergency.”

More information on personal preparedness can be found at: www.gov.nl.ca/fes or www.getprepared.ca

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2011 08 30                                       11:15 a.m.