Emergency Measures Co-ordinators To Meet in Antigonish

Municipal emergency measures co-ordinators from across the province will meet in Antigonish on Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday, May 19, to discuss policy, emerging trends and issues relating to emergency planning in Nova Scotia. The annual conference is hosted by the Nova Scotia Emergency Measures Organization (EMO).

"The conference provides a great opportunity for emergency measures co-ordinators from all across the province to meet and share their experience and expertise concerning emergency preparedness," said Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act.

A wide range of topics will be discussed by the co-ordinators at this year's conference including pandemic planning, emergency communication equipment, emergency social services, telecommunications planning, and business continuity planning.

Representatives from Nova Scotia Power, the Red Cross, and the Department of Community Services will also attend.

Municipalities provide the first level of response in an emergency. In the event of a major emergency, the province becomes the link to provincial and federal government resources.

"The co-ordinators have such an important job," said Craig MacLaughlan, executive director, EMO. "I commend them for their dedication and the hard work they do that helps keep us all safe."

The provincial EMO also supports the emergency management process on an ongoing basis by providing training, advice and evaluation to responders at all levels.