FOR RELEASE     #05-057
March 10, 2005

WHITEHORSE - Yukon Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) has a number of emergency planning activities in March designed to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

"Emergency planning is an on-going activity that must consider any and all potential emergencies the Yukon may be faced with," the minister responsible for Yukon Protective Services, Glenn Hart said. "The world is changing and new threats must be considered in our planning activities on top of the issues we deal with related to forest fires, flooding and emergencies we are familiar with. We are investing in this training to ensure safe and healthy communities."

For the first time north of 60 the Emergency Operation Centre Management course, known as Middleville, will be delivered to Yukon emergency management planners and responders. Emergency experts from Canada's Emergency Preparedness College in Ottawa and Yukon EMO will be partnering to deliver this intensive three-day training course.

The Middleville course provides participants with theory and practical exercises to strengthen their abilities to effectively manage an overall response to an emergency event. Participants from Beaver Creek, Teslin, Carmacks, Mayo, Champagne/Aishihik First Nation, Marsh Lake, Dawson City, Faro, and Whitehorse will be attending.

In addition, instructors from British Columbia and Ottawa will be delivering the Basic First Responder and Train-the-Trainer Course for: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (or CBRN). This course was developed following the events of the Sept. 11 attacks and the global increase in terrorism activities.

The CBRN first responder program provides training for emergency front-line responders including police, fire and emergency medical services personnel, to ensure their safety and establish standardized levels of preparedness for responding to CBRN incidents should they occur.  The Train-the Trainer program will also provide the First Responder Course to the communities and work with first responders throughout the territory. 

Yukon government departments will also be participating in a training workshop to review and update current government department emergency response and business continuity plans. The goal is to ensure all government departments have emergency plans that work together in all types of emergency situations.

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