NLIS 5
September 5, 2006
(Municipal Affairs)
Minister announces details
of Flood to Fires Training Program
Today, Minister of Municipal Affairs Jack
Byrne, announced details for the commencement of the Flood to Fires
Firefighter Training Program in the Town of Stephenville.
In September of 2005, Stephenville and the surrounding area were hit
hard by record amounts of rainfall. The subsequent flooding caused over
100 families to be displaced, leaving many homes and small businesses
destroyed or severely damaged. While this tragedy had a tremendous
impact on the residents of the area it will now provide a unique
opportunity for fire safety and emergency response training. After
careful consideration, the provincial government has approved a plan to
use the acquired structures for this major training exercise. The Flood
to Fires training is planned for September to October.
�Sometimes opportunities present themselves in the most awkward of
situations,� said Minister Byrne. �The Flood to Fires Training Program
has presented us with a valuable opportunity for fire and police
services personnel province-wide to carry out training in vacant homes
within the Stephenville Flood Control Zone that were otherwise scheduled
for demolition. My department will be providing some financial
assistance to help municipalities cover the costs associated with
attending this important training.�
Joan Burke, MHA for the District of St. George�s-Stephenville East also
views this exercise as a unique opportunity for the area. �While the
people who have been displaced have obviously gone through a tremendous
ordeal, perhaps there is some comfort in knowing that their homes will
play a special role in training some of our most valuable emergency
personnel.�
Stephenville Mayor Tom O�Brien noted the economic impact that Flood to
Fires will have on the Bay St. George area. �We see this as an excellent
opportunity,� said Mayor O�Brien. �The arrival of firefighters and
police personnel from across Newfoundland and Labrador will deliver a
positive economic impact that is welcome at this time. Also, the high
level of focus this unique event will place on Stephenville and the Bay
St. George area affords us a great chance to show and promote all that
we have to offer here.�
Flood to Fires is a comprehensive training program devised by
Newfoundland and Labrador Fire and Emergency Services. It is being
offered to career and volunteer fire services and professional police
services around Newfoundland and Labrador and will involve practical
hands-on live training with a multi-discipline and multi-jurisdictional
approach.
�This type of training provides the most realistic and challenging
training possible,� said Fred Hollett, director of fire and emergency
services. �Live fire instruction is the pinnacle of fire training, and
we have encouraged as many experienced firefighters as possible to
participate.�
There will be 10 separate training sessions over the coming weeks, and
fire and police services will have a choice of different scenarios in
which to take part. �This training will mean highly-controlled and
well-monitored exercises throughout the flood zone and furthermore, will
pose no potential risks to the public or surrounding residents,� said
Mr. Hollett. �Our intention is to provide a valuable exercise that is
respectful of a community that has already gone through so much in the
past year.�
Details of the Flood to Fires Training Program can be obtained from the
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs and Firefighters
web site located at
www.nlafcff.nf.ca/.
Media contact: John Tompkins, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498
or jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
2006 09 05
11:30 a.m. |