Government of Canada Marks 15th Annual National Emergency Preparedness Week

May 07, 2010

Ottawa – The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, yesterday marked the 15th annual Emergency Preparedness Week by announcing combined funding of $8 million to the provinces and territories to support emergency preparedness through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

“The federal government plays a critical role in helping the provinces and territories to respond when emergencies strike,” said Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod.  “Emergency Preparedness Week is a valuable opportunity to recognize the contributions of our first responders, and provide them with the tools and training they need to help keep Canadians safe.”

Over 400 projects across the country will benefit from this federal funding for the fiscal year 2010-2011.  $166,000 will go exclusively to projects in Southern Alberta, including $10,000 for the Municipal District of Ranchland, and $4,992.00 for Vulcan County.  This money will allow for the purchase of emergency response equipment such as:

• Radios and other telecommunciations;
• Emergency generators;
• Computer software;
• Thermal imaging cameras; and,
• Decontamination showers.

Emergency Preparedness Week is a national campaign coordinated by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and other partners.  This year’s theme is “72 Hours – Is Your Family Prepared?”  Canadians are encouraged to be ready to cope on their own for the first 72 hours of an emergency.  This will enable first responders to focus on those in urgent need.

For more information on Emergency Preparedness week or for practical steps on how to prepare for emergencies, visit www.GetPrepared.ca.  For more information on JEPP, please visit www.publicsafety.gc.ca.