Justice and Public Safety
May 7, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety:

Newfoundland and Labrador Celebrates Emergency Preparedness Week

Mr. Speaker, disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face - whether natural or human-induced.

This week is Emergency Preparedness Week throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents are encouraged to take a few simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies - anytime, anywhere.

I recommend all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians follow some simple steps in relation to preparedness:

Know the risks - Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to your community and your region can help you better prepare.

Make a plan - It will help you and your family know what to do.

Get an emergency kit - During an emergency, a number of basic items are required. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

For more information about Emergency Preparedness Week and more resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies, visit www.GetPrepared.ca .

Mr. Speaker, this week I am also pleased to note that The Weather Network, federal/provincial/territorial governments, Environment Canada and the broadcast industry have recently launched a new national public alerting system called Alert Ready. Alert Ready will notify the public of an event that could have negative impacts and can provide advance notice of a potential adverse event so the public can be prepared. A public awareness campaign to promote the system has been airing since early April.

The first official Alert Ready notice took place yesterday and was the first opportunity to test the system with the issuance of an alert by Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador to broadcasters who then provided the message to the public. Further tests will occur regularly in the future to keep the system top of mind for residents.

I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to visit www.alertready.ca for more information about the new national public alerting system and furthermore, I encourage everyone to be vigilant and listen for these alerts at all times.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, this Emergency Preparedness Week let's commit to take concrete actions to be better prepared. Experience has shown that individual preparedness and staying informed go a long way to help all of us cope better - both during and after a major disaster.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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2015 05 07                              1:55 p.m.