Government of Yukon
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FOR RELEASE #07-216
October 12, 2007
Next Steps In The Modernization Of Emergency Response Services
WHITEHORSE - Premier Dennis Fentie, Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers, and Community Services Minister Glenn Hart today announced details of the work currently underway to modernize emergency response services.
The Yukon government has engaged Sierra Consultants of Alberta to provide expert advice on how to best modernize and coordinate emergency response services.
"The focus of this process of updating and modernizing emergency response services is to ensure that the needs of Yukon communities are addressed in the most effective manner, and that there is a coordinated first response to emergencies of any type," Fentie said. "To that end, one specific area that will be examined is the feasibility of providing 911 service in all Yukon communities."
"Volunteers will continue to be a key part of emergency response service delivery, including ambulance service, in Yukon communities," Cathers noted. "The Yukon government is committed to the principle of standby pay for rural Emergency Medical Services volunteers, and will determine the details of this and other supports during the development of a new multi-year agreement with them."
Development of a new multi-year agreement with rural ambulance crews will involve officials of the Department of Health and Social Services, and representatives of the volunteers currently providing ambulance service in rural communities. Discussions are expected to resume shortly.
"As part of the modernization of emergency response services, we will be consulting with emergency response volunteers who provide services through a relationship with the Department of Community Services, to ensure that we work with and support them effectively now, and into the future," Hart said.
The Premier concluded by adding, "We appreciate the valuable contribution made by all volunteers who provide community-level emergency response services in the Yukon, and are committed to working with them as we modernize Yukon’s emergency response system."
| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Pat Living Communications, Health and Social Services (867) 667-3673 patricia.living@gov.yk.ca |