Building Safer Communities for Residents

Governments and Partners Collaborate in Emergency Management Exercise

Today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is participating in Exercise Shipping Blues, an all-day emergency management exercise involving municipal, provincial and federal government agencies and departments, and non-governmental emergency management partners.

This multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional exercise will focus on a marine-related event in the Lewisporte area, with a goal of validating and enhancing emergency management plans for all participating organizations.

“Emergency management planning at all levels is extremely important to public safety. It is through exercises such as Shipping Blues that our partners have the opportunity to work together, observe and learn from each other in a safe environment that allows for feedback, familiarization, and most importantly improvement in emergency management plans.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-NL

This planning for Exercise Shipping Blues has been a collaborative effort among the Town of Lewisporte, Fire and Emergency Services-NL, Joint Task Force Atlantic and Public Safety Canada.

“Through exercises such as Shipping Blues, we have the opportunity to strengthen relationships and interoperability between our frontline partners in order to ensure our collective preparedness in the event of a major disaster in Atlantic Canada. We are proud to work in collaboration with Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Town of Lewisporte to strengthen relationships with emergency response partners.”
- Rear Admiral John Newton, Commander of Joint Task Force Atlantic

In allowing for emergency responders and support organizations to work together during a simulated emergency, this exercise will help to confirm established networks and partnerships. All participating organizations will take away lessons learned and recommendations to make adjustments that will enhance their own emergency management plans, policies and procedures.

“I am pleased to see this joint effort in the Town of Lewisporte. Emergency planning is key to municipalities especially in this booming economy where we are experiencing increased activity and traffic in our coastal waters.”
- Wade Verge, MHA, Lewisporte

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• Planning for Exercise Shipping Blues has been a collaborative effort involving the Town of Lewisporte, Fire and Emergency Services-NL, Joint Task Force Atlantic and Public Safety Canada.
• Exercise Shipping Blues allows for emergency responders and support organizations to work together during a simulated emergency to confirm established networks and partnerships.
• Fire and Emergency Services-NL encourages and supports municipalities in emergency exercise opportunities.
• Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA) is one of six regional joint task forces located across Canada to conduct continental operations by the Canadian Armed Forces.

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2014 03 11                                                   12:50 p.m.