Acadia University to Host EMO Training

Acadia University and the Town of Wolfville will soon be better prepared to respond to an emergency.

Working in partnership with the Municipality of the County of Kings and the provincial Emergency Management Office (EMO), Acadia University is hosting a training course on basic emergency management, Feb. 20-22.

"The only way to develop effective emergency management is through strong relationship-building," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Emergency Management. "Our work with Acadia University is an important contribution to public safety."

Acadia University approached the Emergency Management Office, the organization responsible for emergency management training in the province, to deliver training to its staff. The request followed recent outbreaks of the Norwalk virus on university campuses in the Maritimes.

"Working with our regional and provincial emergency management officials will help Acadia University be better prepared for any emergency on campus," said Claude O'Hara, Acadia University's senior advisor on government and community relations. "We'll also be in a better position to assist local agencies should the need arise."

He added that a strong link between an institution like Acadia University and its surrounding community is enormously important. "We are particularly fortunate to be located in an area that has tremendous community spirit and a region well-know for its co-ordinated mutual aid response," said Mr. O'Hara.

"We welcome Acadia as a new partner in emergency preparedness," said Gary Smith, manager of protective and emergency services for the Municipality of the County of Kings. "This course will introduce University officials and decision makers to the basic concepts of emergency management."

With the space and resources to maintain a small community, the university campus provides a vital piece of infrastructure. Equipped with basic skills in emergency management, the university will be better able respond to emergency situations and accommodate nearby residents in the event of a large-scale emergency.

"The town of Wolfville appreciates Acadia University opening its doors to host this training," said Wolfville Mayor Bob Stead. "By working with the university, the town and its residents all benefit as we continue to improve our ability to respond to critical events."

The Emergency Management Office mandate is to ensure the safety and security of Nova Scotians, their property and environment by providing for a prompt and coordinated response to an emergency. Effective planning helps mitigate the effects of emergencies of any size or type. This is accomplished by providing assistance in planning before an emergency occurs, and by co-ordinating provincial resources.

In the last two years, participation in EMO training has increased by 300 per cent.