Co-operation Improves Hazardous Materials Response

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Co-operation Improves Hazardous Materials Response

Nova Scotians now have better protection when there is an emergency involving hazardous materials. A federal-provincial- municipal co-operative effort has created a network of six specially trained and equipped teams.

Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash says the effort began with two provincial departments. "The Office of the Fire Marshal and the Emergency Measures Organization found that there was an opportunity to expand our capabilities."

Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act, agreed saying: "We were able to gain access to funding and, because both departments have close relationships with local emergency responders, we were able to help them develop a sustainable hazardous materials response system."

The program has seen about $600,000 worth of equipment either distributed among first responders, like police and firefighters, or pre-positioned at provincial storage facilities. First responders have also received additional training.

"The idea is to ensure that the right equipment is readily accessible anywhere in Nova Scotia, and that there are properly trained people available to operate it," Mr. Fage said.

"Our close relationship with the Nova Scotia Firefighters' School has allowed us to help them to develop the training local firefighters need to respond to these incidents," said Mr. Morash.

Funding for the project was made available through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program administered through Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. "It's through the collaborative efforts of first responders, municipalities, provinces and the federal government that we are building our capacity to ensure the safety of Canadians," said Anne McLellan, the deputy prime minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.

The federal funding for this project was committed in federal budget 2001, which provided $10 million to help provinces and territories to enhance their response capacity. Approved projects received 75 per cent of funding through the government of Canada and 25 per cent through provincial contribution.

The Joint Emergency Preparedness Program was established to improve Canada's ability to respond a broad range of emergencies, including biological and chemical weapons. "It's important to remember that there are many emergencies involving dangerous materials for which we must be prepared," said Mr. Fage.

Mr. Morash used as examples a recent ammonia leak in Oxford and a train derailment in Pictou County. "We saw local responders work closely with staff from each of our departments to put this equipment to efficient and effective use."

The hazardous materials response teams are located in Halifax and Cape Breton regional municipalities, Bible Hill, Kentville, Yarmouth and Amherst. The two ministers visited a display of some of the equipment today, May 5, in Halifax.