NEWS RELEASE

Mayor Kelly Addresses National Emergency Preparedness Conference

(Monday, January 15/07) – Strategic partnerships and national standards for municipalities are critical for successful emergency preparedness in Canada, Mayor Peter Kelly told participants in the Conference Board of Canada’s forum on Emergency Preparedness and Safety for Municipalities today in Ottawa.

“Ninety per cent of emergencies are handled by municipal first responders, yet more than half of municipalities believe they won’t be able to handle a major emergency,” said Mayor Kelly. “Municipalities need clear national standards so we can assure all Canadians that the highest, most reliable standards in safety and preparedness can be expected everywhere in the country.

“National standards and training would also allow us to move our resources from region to region with relative ease to wherever a disaster occurs,” he added.

Moderating a panel discussion on “Strategic Partnerships: What to Offer and What to Expect from Municipalities,” Mayor Kelly noted that government and non-government agencies need to work together better before, during and after crises if they are going to ensure residents’ needs are met when it counts.

“If we don’t practice preparedness and training together, it’s unlikely we will respond together,” Mayor Kelly said, citing HRM’s Joint Emergency Operations Centre (JEOC) as an example of a strategic partnership that works well. The JEOC is the first centre in Canada to house under one roof the emergency management organizations of all three levels of government. “Agencies that work and train together regularly can hit the ground running and solve problems more quickly when disaster strikes. The JEOC proved extremely effective during September 11, Hurricane Juan and White Juan.”

Mayor Kelly, who Co-chairs the Big City Mayors Caucus Working Group on Public Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness, also noted that a collaborative approach will help ensure municipalities have the ability to act quickly in emergency situations.

“Despite being the first to respond, and despite leading and coordinating emergency efforts, municipalities are often not included or consulted when federal and provincial governments develop their respective standards,” said Mayor Kelly. “We need municipalities at the table when provincial and federal decisions are made and strategies developed.”

-30-

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
222-9999 (cell)