Traffic Management Guidelines for Emergency Scenes Launched

Firefighters and other emergency personnel in Nova Scotia have new guidelines to help reduce the number of injuries during emergency operations on roadways.

Nova Scotia's new Traffic Management Guidelines for Emergency Scenes were released Sunday, Oct. 22, at the annual meeting of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia.

"Working in or near moving traffic is dangerous and these guidelines provide practical maintenance and emergency safety procedures for our firefighters," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "Far too many people drive through accident scenes quickly and that compromises the safety of firefighters and victims."

The training manual, which will be available for all first responders in Nova Scotia, combines basic principles and guidelines of temporary traffic control with important information from firefighters experienced in assisting with emergency accidents.

"This manual will enhance responder safety and provide guidance to local fire departments," said Bob Cormier, provincial fire marshal. "We want to make sure that all firefighters are protected and safe so they can tend to their jobs as emergency personnel."

The manual has been developed in co-operation with the Department of Environment and Labour, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia, paramedics with Emergency Health Services and provincial police forces.

For a copy of the Traffic Management Guidelines for Emergency Scenes, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla .