Enhanced 911 Public Education Program

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Enhanced 911 Public Education Program

A child sees a cat stuck in a tree, should they call 911 for help? For a five or six year old this may be a difficult question. The Nova Scotia Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), in partnership with Aliant, is launching a new public education initiative to make it easier for adults to teach children about 911.

"Public education is a critical ingredient to improving public safety," said Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. "By teaching the proper use of 911 at a young age, we are building an informed community that can react promptly and appropriately when an emergency happens."

Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 18, 911 personnel and community policing officers across the province will have sets of flash cards to use when talking to children in schools and community groups on what to do in an emergency.

The poster-size cards depict different situations that children may find themselves in. Some of these situations require the children to call 911 for help while others require the child to respond to the situation without the need to call 911.

"Learning the proper use of 911 is an important topic for all individuals, but especially for young children", said Bruce Lilly, Aliant regional manager, Halifax Regional Municipality. "Having materials such as these flash cards will make it easier to engage children in a conversation about 911 and help them learn what is considered an emergency."

Other improvements to EMO's public education program include an updated 911 Teacher's Activity Pack and a teachers' section which has been added to EMO's website. Teachers looking for information on 911, emergency preparedness or who want to arrange for a speaker in their class can contact EMO at 902-424-5620 or visit their website at www.gov.ns.ca/emo .