Kings County Health Region, in cooperation with the municipalities of Montague and Souris, learned valuable lessons today when they tested disaster response services during a mock hurricane in Kings County.
CEO of the Kings Health Region, Betty Fraser said the simulated exercise provided essential information to municipal and health personnel. She said this information will help our existing disaster plans to ensure the region responds in an efficient and appropriate manner in the event of a real crisis in the future.
“On behalf of both the municipalities of Souris and Montague and the Kings Health Region, I would like to thank the local fire departments of Souris and Montague, the RCMP, the Red Cross, physicians, all staff of the Region and the many volunteers who acted as simulated victims, family members, media representatives and observers to the event. The cooperation of all involved allowed us to carry out this extensive exercise and we appreciate the efforts of everyone involved.”
Souris Mayor Joseph O’Keefe added, “I also want to extend my gratitude to Emergency Measure Organization staff, the Department of Health and Social Services, and Emergency Health Services staff for their assistance in the planning and evaluation of this event.
“We have learned a great deal through this exercise. The exercise not only allowed us to evaluate our own municipal plans, but gave us the opportunity to test how our plans work in relation to other municipalities and agencies. It will certainly help us to be better prepared in the event of real disaster which could affect our communities.”
Mayor Richard Collins welcomed the opportunity to test the Town of Montague Disaster Plans. “The exercise involved a number of community partners and key individuals who would be involved should a real disaster occur in the area. We are grateful for their participation.”