Conference for Municipal Emergency Measures Co-ordinators

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Conference for Municipal Emergency Measures Co-ordinators

Municipal emergency measures co-ordinators from across the province will be attending an annual conference in Truro on Tuesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 16, to discuss policy and issues relative to emergency planning in Nova Scotia. The conference is hosted by Nova Scotia’s Emergency Measures Organization.

The agenda includes updates and discussions on our 911 system, the safe communities initiative, climate change, the new province-wide trunk mobile radio system and the "how to’s" of applying a new municipal planning evaluation framework.

"The key to minimizing the effects of any emergency is proper training and preparation," said Jamie Muir, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. "When an emergency occurs, no one person or organization can act in isolation; instead, all must plan and work together. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to build relationships, share experiences and reflect on common goals surrounding emergency preparedness." Mr. Muir will address the conference delegates on Wednesday.

The municipality is the first level of response to an emergency under Nova Scotia’s Emergency Measures Act. Each of Nova Scotia’s 55 municipalities is required to develop its own municipal emergency plan and an emergency measures co-ordinator who is responsible for developing and exercising its plan.

If an emergency exceeds the municipality’s capacity to respond, the Emergency Measures Organization becomes the channel of access to needed provincial and federal government resources. The organization also provides emergency preparedness training to emergency responders and emergency planners for all three levels of government, as well the private sector.

"Emergency management is very much a co-operative effort," said Mr. Muir. "Time and time again, Nova Scotia has shown its ability to work together to get the job done. I commend and thank all the men and women who work very hard to plan and prepare for an emergency we all hope will never happen."