Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour announced today that Prince Edward Island will once again participate in the national campaign for Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week, May 4 to 10, 2008.
EP Week is designed to increase awareness about individual emergency preparedness and lessen the consequences of a disaster. The five main risks identified in Prince Edward Island are hurricane, blizzard, ice storm, forest fire, and flood or storm surge. Other risks may include disease outbreak, pandemic, drought, severe weather, hazardous spills, and terrorism.
“Ensuring Islanders are prepared to cope on their own for the first 72 hours in an emergency is the first step in Emergency Preparedness,” said Minister Bertram. “Emergencies can strike at any time, often with little notice; everyone has a role to play in becoming better prepared.”
Special activities throughout the week will heighten awareness and educate Islanders about personal emergency preparedness. With the cooperation of the Eastern, Western and French school boards, the provincial Office of Public Safety is providing information to grade one students so they will begin to think about emergency preparedness at an early age. The grade one students will be taking home copies of the 72 Hour guide for their family’s use as well. A week-long radio promotion with Ocean 100 and K-ROCK 105.5 will give listeners the opportunity to call in, answer questions about emergency preparedness, and perhaps win a Red Cross emergency kit. As well Premier Robert Ghiz and Minister Bertram will be hosting a reception to thank the many emergency service providers and volunteers with organizations throughout the province.
Yesterday, Minister Bertram announced that the Prince Edward Island Office of Public Safety, through the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, has offered to provide staff and resources to assist the province of New Brunswick deal with the worst flooding the province has experienced in 35 years.
“This is very much a province-wide event for our friends in New Brunswick, with the St. John River impacting so much of the province, and flooding as well in the Madawaska and the Miramichi Rivers,” said Minister Bertram. “Public Safety officials expect that this will be an extended event and that assistance will be required for recovery efforts once the immediate flooding concerns are resolved. We will be there for our neighbours. Staff of the PEI Office of Public Safety are on standby for deployment to assist New Brunswick when called upon.
“One of the messages associated with this event in New Brunswick is the importance of emergency preparedness. This is a timely message as we prepare to raise awareness about Emergency Preparedness Week.”
“I want to encourage Islanders to act now,” Minister Bertram added. “Don’t wait for an emergency to happen. Learn the risks. Plan ahead. Prepare a kit.”
Emergency kits can be put together using checklists in the 72 Hour Guide, or can be purchased from the Canadian Red Cross. Copies of the72 Hour Guide are available at Access PEI sites, by calling EMO at 888-8050 or 894-0385 or can be downloaded at www.peiemo.ca; click on 72 Hours.