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City Pays Tribute to Emergency Preparedness Partners
FREDERICTON (May 7, 2007) - Fredericton City Council said a big thank-you here today to the 92 men and women who work together behind the scenes year-after-year to ensure the community can cope in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
The City of Fredericton's Emergency Measures Organization Group Committee is made up of representatives from 27 organizations, both from the private and public sectors, and includes 51 City staff members.
"These are the people who hope for the best and plan for the worst," said Deputy Mayor Scott McConaghy during a ceremony in the Council Chamber at City Hall to mark Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada May 6-12. "Who knows when of if we will ever have to face a catastrophe like a pandemic, fire, plane crash, terrorism or natural disaster. It's comforting to know there's a group here in the city ready to swing into action with carefully thought out plans to ensure our safety."
The Group, originally formed in the 1990s, meets 10 times a year to hear from invited speakers and to discuss contingency planning. Generally, each year, the group holds either a table-top exercise or a mock disaster exercise.
"Provincial legislation requires the City to have an Emergency Response Plan," said Fredericton Fire Chief Philip Toole, Director of the City's Emergency Measures Organization Group Committee. "Our group ensures that the City is prepared to effectively manage and recover from an emergency situation as a Corporation, and as a public service."
In an emergency, the City has designated three sites where Emergency Operations Centers will be established, including at the York Street Fire station, City Hall and at the Queen Street police station.
A variety of locations have also been established throughout the Municipality, with assistance from Canadian Red Cross, to be used as evacuation shelters.
"Every Fredericton family should also have its own emergency plan and enough supplies to survive at least 72 hours without water or power," said Councillor Tony Whalen, Chair of the City's Public Safety & Environment Committee. "Emergency Preparedness Week is a good time to organize a basic survival kit containing a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water, and blankets and other essentials."
Following is a list of the external agencies represented on the City of Fredericton Emergency measures Organization Group Committee: Aliant, Salvation Army, NB Power, New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, River Valley Health (Region 3), Fredericton Amateur Radio Club, Village of New Maryland, Meals-On-Wheels, School District 18, York Manor, York-Sunbury Search & Rescue, St. John Ambulance, Marysville Y's Men's, Town of Oromocto, River Valley Health EMS, Canadian Red Cross, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Public Health, St. Mary's First Nation, Greater Fredericton Airport Authority, Department of National Defence, New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Alzheimer Society, the Fredericton Emergency Shelter as well as home care companies WeCare, ComCare and Bayshore.
For more information on Emergency Preparedness Week go to http://www.emergencypreparednessweek.ca/index_e.asp.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton (506) 460-2227.
