Fire Department

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City Sets Up Flood Information Help Line

Fredericton (April 23, 2008) - The City of Fredericton has set up an information help line where flood evacuees can call for information about how to access emergency services.

The Help Line, (506) 460-2096, will be initially staffed from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. If conditions warrant it will be staffed around the clock

"If we get to a point where evacuations are necessary, the phone line will provide valuable information," said Fire Chief Philip Toole, Director of the City's Emergency Measures Organization. "If assistance from family or friends is not available, residents will be assessed and directed to a shelter, set up by the Canadian Red Cross, where they can stay."

Canadian Red Cross Registration Centres will be set up for anyone forced out of their homes. This allows family and friends to call a designated telephone number to determine where people have gone. It is recommended that all who leave their homes register. Shelter and registration centre locations will be announced, if they become necessary, said Chief Toole.

If the waters get to flood level, evacuees with pets should contact one of the following to make arrangements to board their pets:

Solid Gold Pet Training and Resort Ltd., 2288 Hanwell Road, 457-1530
Dutch Kennels, 1005 Rte. 10 Highway, 450-9442
Lincoln Pet Hotel, 2310 Lincoln Road, 458-9759

The City of Fredericton established a Disaster Registry last October to help rescue workers find elderly residents who need help the most during an emergency. Seniors who are medically frail or housebound, have a mobility, vision, or hearing impairment can register with the City to take advantage of this service, which is jointly managed by the City of Fredericton Emergency 911 Dispatch and the Barkers Point Lions Club. For information about the Disaster registry, call Sharon Everett of the Barkers Point Lions Club at 459-1465.

Valuable information about river levels will be broadcast on local radio stations, including the City's own Information Radio at 93.3 FM. Valuable information about what to do before, during and after a flood is also available online at the New Brunswick EMO River Watch website at www.gnb.ca and look for the River Watch link. (Direct link - http://www.gnb.ca/public/Riverwatch/index-e.asp)

The federal government also has a website which provides valuable information on sustaining yourself in the event of an emergency for at least 72 hours before assistance may be available at http://www.getprepared.ca/

Links to these sites and other flood-related information are provided on the City of Fredericton website at www.fredericton.ca.

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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2227.