Joint Emergency Operations Centre Ready When Needed
EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Joint Emergency Operations Centre Ready When Needed
Jamie Muir, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act, officially opened Nova Scotia's Joint Emergency Operations Centre today at Mount Hope Avenue in Dartmouth. Today's opening marks the first joint emergency operations centre in Canada that is a partnership among emergency measure organizations at all three levels of government.
"This is a significant day for Nova Scotia," said Mr. Muir. "We can't eliminate emergencies but we can prepare for them. Through sharing resources and working together, we have developed a first-class joint emergency operations centre that will provide the needed space and resources to accomplish effective training and emergency exercises."
An emergency operations centre is the primary location from which the mobilization and co-ordination of responses and resources is carried out in the event of a major incident. The emergency operations centre will be activated when a disaster or major emergency occurs in the province or offshore, or when a municipality requires provincial or federal help to respond to an emergency at the local level.
In addition to emergency operations, the facility will be used to provide emergency training courses. These courses range from basic emergency preparedness to more advanced emergency operations training.
"The opening of this joint emergency operations centre so close to the anniversary of the Swiss Air disaster serves as a reminder of the results that can be achieved when all governments work together as partners," said Geoff Regan, MP for Halifax West, on behalf of Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defence. "The centre will also help all residents of Nova Scotia benefit from the close collaboration of their provincial and federal governments, as well as the continued financial assistance provided by the government of Canada, regardless of where they live."
"I am pleased to see all three levels of government working together to be better prepared for unforeseen emergencies," said Peter Kelly, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality. "This centre will mean improved efficiencies for our emergency centre organizations and for our first responders in times of crisis."
During today's ceremonies Mr. Muir also unveiled the Wall of Honour, which is dedicated to individuals who have contributed to community preparedness and disaster response throughout Nova Scotia's history.
Mr. Muir presented the first two awards to Nova Scotia's Ground Search and Rescue Association and Nova Scotia's Amateur Radio Association.
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of any emergency situation," said Mr. Muir. "The two organizations receiving the awards today are critical partners in the emergency response process. Over and over they have demonstrated their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and expertise at a moment's notice."