Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about the importance of community training and preparedness.
In June the town of Fort Smith was threatened by extreme fire conditions which resulted in heavy smoke and considerable risk to the community. Several residents were evacuated until the risk passed. In July forest fires located close to the charter community of Deline resulted in the evacuation of 108 residents. Both events required emergency management officials to implement measures designed to protect the safety of residents and prepare for the worst.
Thankfully these events did not result in widespread damage, but they do offer a good reminder of how a disaster can strike at any time. In the Northwest Territories, forest fires and floods occur regularly and can easily test the community’s ability to respond.
Several months ago community emergency management officials from Deline and Fort Smith participated in training on basic concepts of emergency management. This training provides the skills to effectively prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies. Understanding the framework of emergency management, along with accepted common response protocols in use across the Northwest Territories, greatly increases the timeline and effectiveness of response to an emergency.
This training was put into practice in June and July with a high degree of efficiency and effectiveness by community emergency management officials in Deline and Fort Smith.
There is a wide variety of situations and factors that can cause a disaster in a community. Communities in the Northwest Territories may be particularly vulnerable due to the potential impacts of climate change. In coastal communities, preparation for storms and flooding may be more necessary, while in southern regions the frequency of forest fires may increase.
Municipal and Community Affairs is working with communities and partners to guide the development and delivery of quality of training opportunities to improve the safety of residents and to respond to disaster in an appropriate and effective manner. This includes efforts to improve community capacity to undertake emergency management activities and to support communities in their emergency planning efforts.
With the recent fire events in Deline and Fort Smith we are reminded of how important it is for all communities to be prepared to respond to emergencies. MACA remains committed to working to advance the 16th Legislative Assembly’s goal of sustainable, vibrant, and safe communities in the NWT.
I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the communities of Deline and Fort Smith for their effort in preparing for disaster and working together to protect the safety of their residents.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
