Minister Highlights Provincial Response to Hurricane Igor

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, today outlined how the National Emergency Response System helps guide provinces and territories when engaging federal resources during an emergency event similar to what Newfoundland and Labrador experienced during Hurricane Igor. Through the National Emergency Response System, provinces and territories can request federal assistance once an emergency threatens to overwhelm its resources and assessment is an essential component of deploying federal assistance.

“The Provincial Government is committed to open communication and cooperation with all levels of government across the country, particularly during an emergency,” said Minister O’Brien. “Our focus has always been the well-being of our residents and this was our primary concern as we dealt with Hurricane Igor. Provincial emergency responders were in constant communication with federal officials while we mobilized our resources. Our government acted quickly and appropriately to get help to those in need and engaged federal assistance where and when it was needed.”

In responding to Hurricane Igor, emergency officials in Newfoundland and Labrador were in direct contact with municipal staff and community members, both on the ground and through the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre. Priority was focused on ensuring the basic needs of all residents could be met and that residents remained safe and secure throughout the initial efforts to reconnect communities. During the first days of response assessments were underway to determine the true impact of the storm, and how to best use any potential assistance being offered from outside sources, provincial employees, local governments, community firefighters, and volunteers on the ground.

Almost 200 communities were impacted by Hurricane Igor with over 100 road breaches occurring. Over 90 communities were isolated but were reconnected within 10 days. As part of its immediate response to Hurricane Igor, including temporary repairs, the Provincial Government provided in excess of $4.5 million to municipalities and has allocated $23 million towards continuing transportation infrastructure repairs to be completed in this construction season.

“Though unprecedented and tragic, Hurricane Igor could have been much worse if not for the efforts, training and experience of our communities and volunteers,” noted Minister O’Brien. “We are continuing to evaluate the response and recovery and once this review is completed we will certainly release that information. I am confident in the efforts of our emergency responders, from Provincial Government staff to volunteers, who are leaders in this field and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers across the country.”

Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador conducts semi-annual Fire and Emergency Services Training Schools and regional firefighter training sessions and over160 workshops, meetings and training sessions in emergency management have been conducted within the last year. Under the province’s Emergency Services Act, municipalities and local service districts are mandated to complete updated emergency management plans by May, 2012.

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Media contact:
Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca

2011 06 17                                                                        5:15 p.m.