Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Justice and Public Safety
March 18, 2015
Strengthening Communities Through Emergency Preparedness
New Inclusive Emergency Planning Resources Unveiled
The Provincial Government and the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities-Newfoundland and Labrador today unveiled two new emergency planning resources, including a planning guide and a personal information kit for persons with disabilities. These new resources are part of an emergency preparedness initiative undertaken by the coalition last year and supported financially by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
�Through the Provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, our government has made great efforts in making what we do each day more inclusive of persons with disabilities. Both emergency planning resources announced today are a great demonstration of private, community and public organizations working together to ensure that barriers are removed for persons with disabilities. I commend the partners that supported their development and encourage all first responders, municipal planners and anyone who might assist a person with a disability during an emergency to read the inclusive planning guide. I also encourage all individuals with a disability to utilize the new personal information kit and have it easily accessible to emergency responders. Our communities and residents will be safer as a result of the resources unveiled today.�
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
The initiative was first announced in October 2014, and is aimed at better equipping municipal planners and first responders and helping persons with disabilities prepare for an emergency. The guide titled Shared Responsibility - An Inclusive Emergency Planning Guide: A Resource for First Responders and Community Leaders, and the new PREP (Personal Resource for Emergency Preparedness) Kit was an idea developed by the coalition in cooperation with many partners.
�Overall emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. The valuable new resources unveiled today will support emergency planners and emergency first responders to assist and more accurately anticipate the needs of persons with disabilities during an emergency or crisis. Effective and inclusive emergency planning is important in keeping our communities and residents safe. Our government will continue to work with our many emergency management partners province-wide to further advance planning efforts, now in a more comprehensive and inclusive way.�
- Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
Work to develop the guide and PREP kit was steered by a 22-member task force of individuals with expertise and experience in emergency preparedness and matters concerning persons with disabilities. The Provincial Government provided $30,000 to support the project.
�With the increase in emergency situations, the coalition wanted to ensure everyone was prepared to do their part. We wanted first responders and community leaders to have information about inclusive planning and response. We also wanted persons with disabilities, themselves, to be prepared. The coalition would not have been able to do this without financial support from the Provincial Government and the support of our many task force partners. With the resources being unveiled here today we are helping ensure inclusive emergency preparedness happens and helping ensure people�s safety.
- Jerry Weir, President - Coalition of Persons with Disabilities-Newfoundland and Labrador
The guide and PREP kit will be made available online and in print and alternate formats upon request. Individuals wishing to attain copies are encouraged to contact the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities at 709-722-7011 or email info@codnl.ca.
More information about general emergency preparedness can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/fes or www.getprepared.gc.ca. 
QUICK FACTS
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, joined representatives of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities in St. John�s today to launch a new inclusive emergency planning guide and a Personal Resource for Emergency Preparedness kit, both aimed at reducing barriers for persons with disabilities.
- Shared Responsibility - An Inclusive Emergency Planning Guide: A Resource for First Responders and Community Leaders, and the PREP kit were development by a 22-member task force of individuals with expertise and experience in emergency preparedness and matters concerning persons with disabilities.
- The Provincial Government provided $30,000 in support of the Shared Responsibility initiative and is focused on ensuring emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
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Media contacts:
| Debbie Marnell Communications Specialist Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0585, 699-9048 debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca |
Bradley Power Public Relations Specialist Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857, 690-1810 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
| Kelly White Executive Director Coalition of Persons with Disabilities-Newfoundland and Labrador 722-7011 kwhite@codnl.ca |
2015 03 18 10:55 a.m.