Released on May 6, 1996
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Ralph Goodale and CarolTeichrob, minister responsible for Saskatchewan Emergency Planning,
today announced that $321,512 has been approved for emergency
preparedness projects in Saskatchewan. Goodale made the announcement
on behalf of David Collenette, federal minister responsible for
Emergency Preparedness.
Four projects were approved under the Joint Emergency Preparedness
Program (JEPP), which enables the federal, provincial and municipal
governments to work co-operatively to ensure a reasonably uniform level
of emergency response and preparedness in communities.
"As this is Emergency Preparedness Week, today's announcement is a
timely reminder of the importance of the federal and provincial
governments working together to ensure our communities are prepared to
cope with virtually any emergency that threatens lives, property and
the environment," Goodale said.
"The largest share of the funds announced today, $141,500, will be
dedicated to enhancing education and training programs for emergency
planning co-ordinators, and municipal and provincial officials,"
Teichrob said.
Saskatchewan Emergency Planning will introduce additional training
programs to assist municipalities in developing emergency social
services programs, to promote an integrated approach to emergency
health services in urban and rural areas and to manage search and
rescue operations."
The enhanced education and training programs through Saskatchewan
Emergency Planning will be cost-shared by the provincial ($78,875) and
federal ($62,625) governments.
The other projects announced today are cost-shared federal-municipal
projects:
an emergency command vehicle and communications system for the
Prince Albert Mutual Aid District, $110,220;
a new mobile command post and rescue equipment for the Wood River
Mutual Aid Area, $41,594; and
extrication equipment to rescue accident victims trapped in
vehicles for the Carrot River Mutual Aid Area, $28,198.
JEPP provides for education and training programs and the purchase of
equipment for use in emergencies. Since JEPP began in 1980, the
federal, provincial and municipal governments have contributed almost
$8.3 million in emergency preparedness projects in Saskatchewan.
The federal JEPP funding was provided for in the March, 1996, federal
budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
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For more information, contact:
Wayne Marr, Director Hal Swain, Regional Director,
Saskatchewan Emergency Planning Saskatchewan
Regina Emergency Preparedness Canada
Phone: (306) 787-9563 Regina
Phone: (306) 780-5005