Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Public Safety
October 3, 2014
Strengthening Communities Through Emergency Preparedness
Provincial Government Supports Inclusive Emergency Planning Sessions
The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, joined representatives of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – NL in Gander today to launch a series of information and training sessions designed to improve emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. The sessions are part of A Shared Responsibility, a project which aims to better equip municipal planners and first responders, and to help people with disabilities, prepare for an emergency. The launch included an update on a draft planning guide – An Inclusive Emergency Planning Guide for Planners and Responders.
“We recognize the importance of inclusive emergency planning for first responders and want to ensure that persons with disabilities have the information they need to be prepared for any type of situation. The training and information sessions launched today complement the planning guide, and the feedback received will contribute to its final development. As Minister of the newly-formed Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and as the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, I look forward to overseeing a realigned focus on the physical and social well-being of all our citizens, in an inclusive society that recognizes issues of importance to persons with disabilities.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
The Provincial Government provided $30,000 to the coalition for A Shared Responsibility, which was initiated in response to severe weather events in recent years which highlighted the need for emergency preparedness. The project is guided by a 22-member task force of individuals with expertise and experience in emergency preparedness and matters concerning persons with disabilities.
“An emergency can occur at any time, with an impact that extends to all members of society. This important initiative serves as a platform to bring emergency planners and responders together with persons with disabilities with a common goal of emergency preparedness. The Department of Public Safety was formed by Premier Paul Davis with an aim of ensuring that our communities are as safe as possible. As the Minister of this new department, I am looking forward to the new planning guide further enhancing emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities in our province.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-NL
The training and information sessions launched today will focus on two topics – emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities, and training and guidelines for emergency planners and first responders. Training will ensure that emergency planning is inclusive to persons with disabilities, ensuring that preparedness is considered before the impact of a disaster. The sessions will also provide an opportunity for feedback on the guide to ensure it reflects the needs across Newfoundland and Labrador.
“In recent years, our province has experienced severe weather and other events requiring emergency response. A Shared Responsibility came as a result of discussions with the Provincial Government, Eastern Health, Canadian Red Cross, and Municipalities NL. We are pleased to launch our workshops and create awareness that emergency preparedness is inclusive to all persons in our province.”
- Kelly White, Executive Director, Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – NL
Training sessions for planners and first responders, as well as persons with disabilities will be held in western, eastern and Labrador regions in the coming months. Information about training workshops will be released by the Coalition as they are scheduled. An Inclusive Emergency Planning Guide for Planners and Responders will be finalized following these sessions, and is expected to be published spring 2015.
QUICK FACTS
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, joined representatives of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – NL in Gander today to launch a series of information and training sessions around A Shared Responsibility, a project designed to better equip municipal planners and first responders, and help persons with disabilities, prepare for an emergency.
- The launch included an update on a draft planning guide – An Inclusive Emergency Planning Guide for Planners and Responders.
- The Provincial Government provided $30,000 for the project.
- A Shared Responsibility is focused on ensuring emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts meet the needs of persons with disabilities. The project is guided by a 22-member task force.
- To learn more about the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, visit: //www.codnl.ca/
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Media contacts:
| Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Luke Joyce Director of Communications Department of Public Safety 709-729-6985, 725-4165 lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca |
| Kelly White Executive Director Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – NL 722-7011 kwhite@codnl.ca |
2014 10 03 11:30 a.m.