Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
May 13, 2016
Helping the Residents of Alberta
Deployment of Three Incident Management Team Members Set for Weekend
Three Forestry and Agrifoods Agency employees will head west this weekend as part of a nine-person Incident Management Team being deployed from Atlantic Canada to Alberta.
"Our thoughts and prayers have been with the people of Fort McMurray, many of whom are family and friends, since the evacuation last week. We have been waiting for a call to assist and I am proud to say that our people are once again rising to the challenge. Our team will be instrumental in responding to the needs of residents in Alberta."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
In Alberta, the three team members will assume the key positions of Incident Commander, Safety Officer and Supply Unit Leader. All resources headed to Alberta will arrive in Edmonton on Saturday to be briefed on their assignments and informed of their work location. The length of deployment is contingent on conditions in Alberta.
The nine-person team will consist of members from the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Parks Canada. The Provincial Government has adequate resources in place to manage fires throughout the forest fire season in this province. Water bombers, helicopters and firefighters are stationed around the province.
The deployment is coordinated by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, through the Mutual Aid Resource Sharing Agreement which enables provinces to share firefighting resources if required.
"These individuals are highly trained and can offer their expertise and support to address his unfortunate situation. I commend them for their willingness to step up and help residents of another province in their time of need."
- Minister Mitchelmore
Newfoundland and Labrador's Incident Management Team has responded to events in several provinces. In 2014, nine team members were deployed for up to 19 days to British Columbia.
This deployment follows that of 30 RCMP officers and one civilian member of the RCMP to Alberta on May 11 to assist with reintegration and rebuilding in Fort McMurray. Newfoundland and Labrador continues to offer additional fire resources through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development Forestry and Agrifoods Agency 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
2016 05 13 4:25 p.m.