Municipal
Affairs
May 27, 2008
"Ready-Kit-GO" to Help Newfoundland and
Labrador Residents Prepare for Emergencies
The Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal
Affairs; Rhonda Kenney, Regional Director, Canadian Red Cross; and Earl
Ludlow, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newfoundland Power Inc.,
gathered at Canadian Red Cross headquarters on Major�s Path today to
announce Ready.Kit.GO!, an emergency preparedness education and
awareness partnership targeting the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Canadian Red Cross, the Provincial Government�s
Fire and Emergency Services and Newfoundland Power are all among the
first to respond when disaster strikes, making the partnership a natural
fit which builds upon the strengths of each organization.
Minister Denine calls it a great move for all
involved. "We have all built strong histories of reliable emergency
response in the province," said Minister Denine. "This partnership is a
great way to advance our common goal around emergency preparedness and
to collaborate on providing information to the public."
The Ready.Kit.GO! partnership will work to make the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador aware of the importance of being
prepared for an emergency, as well educate them on how to build or
purchase a ready-made emergency preparedness kit, make a plan and give
them the confidence they need to respond appropriately during an
emergency situation.
In the face of today�s constantly changing climate,
the Canadian Red Cross is keeping a close watch on the trend toward more
frequent and violent storms, flooding and other natural disasters. "The
need for preparedness is paramount," said Ms. Kenney. "Our disaster
volunteers know from experience the value of being prepared for an
emergency. Whether this means an emergency preparedness kit for the home
or car, or the knowledge of how to keep you and your family safe during
an emergency situation, being prepared for the unexpected is something
we all need to take seriously."
Mr. Ludlow says the partnership is definitely the most
strategic way to reach the people of this province. "Through
Ready.Kit.GO! we can work effectively as partners to educate
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians on how to help us help them. When
responding to a house fire or even an entire community affected by flood
waters, if an individual or family is prepared it aids emergency
responders in the job they have to do."
Ready.Kit.GO! will be continually seen and heard
throughout the province as the partnership continues to develop its
creative strategy around its primary objective � to increase the number
of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are prepared for an emergency.
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BACKGROUNDER
Over the years, the Canadian Red Cross, the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador through Fire and Emergency Services
(FES-NL), and Newfoundland Power have established strong histories in
emergency response in Newfoundland and Labrador. When a disaster
strikes, representatives from all three of these organizations are among
the first to respond. Although each operates to achieve different
objectives during an emergency situation, there is a clear opportunity
for partnership which involves maximizing response when a disaster
strikes.
When individuals and families are prepared for
emergency situations it benefits not only the responders, but also those
people who find themselves in situations requiring immediate aid. In
choosing to "be prepared" individuals help themselves and others by
giving emergency personnel the ability to respond to those who need it
most.
Thus, the Ready.Kit.Go! partnership was developed with
the purpose of providing education and awareness to Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians on "how to prepare themselves for the unexpected."
Objectives
In Newfoundland and Labrador, adverse weather and its
impacts are a major concern. The Ready.Kit.Go! partners will work
together to encourage individuals to take action by being prepared for
any potential emergencies including flooding, ice storms, heavy
snowfalls, high winds and seas, etc. The partnership objectives include:
To maximize emergency preparedness education
and awareness in Newfoundland and Labrador
To increase the number of people who are
educated about and prepared for potential emergency situations
To increase confidence in an individual�s
ability to handle an emergency situation
To strengthen the ability of emergency
personnel to respond in the most effective manner possible
The Partners
The Canadian Red Cross in Newfoundland and Labrador
has a long history of dedicated service. From a single house fire to a
flood or sleet storm that may disrupt an entire municipality or region,
the Canadian Red Cross works with governments and other organizations to
provide for people�s basic needs � food, clothing, shelter, first aid,
emotional support and family reunification.
FES-NL is the agency of the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador that promotes awareness and provides education, training
and certification services to the general public and the fire service.
FES-NL is primarily responsible for both the provision of emergency
preparedness and emergency response, planning, and training, and for a
leadership role in the co-ordination and/or delivery of fire protection
and fire prevention services throughout the province. The agency assists
individuals, communities and governments with the means and knowledge
required to prepare themselves for and respond to a future disaster or
emergency (emergency preparedness), and delivers various fire safety and
public education programs.
For over 120 years, Newfoundland Power has been
committed to providing customers with safe, reliable service.
Responsible for over 233,000 customers, representing approximately 85
per cent of all electricity customers in the province, Newfoundland
Power responds quickly and effectively to power outages, when they
occur. With key locations across the island portion of the province,
Newfoundland Power is able to mobilize employees and equipment to
respond in a safe and timely manner.
Getting the word out!
The Ready.Kit.GO! partners are preparing many channels
to get the message out about the importance of emergency preparedness in
this province, and education on how to prepare for an emergency. Plans
currently underway include:
A subsidy on emergency kits to make them more
accessible to a wider audience
An ongoing marketing campaign
Participation in select trade shows and exhibits
Emergency preparedness messaging included on all
Newfoundland Power electricity bill inserts during strategic times
of the year
Radio contests to generate interest and learn
more about what individuals/families are already doing to be
prepared
Making preparedness information available via the
web
Creating a brochure on the importance of and how
to be prepared
2008 05 27
11:50 a.m. |
