Exercise Scotian Pine Tests

A series of simulated crises will test how well agencies communicate when the province, Municipality of the County of Kings and Acadia University join other agencies for a tabletop emergency exercise Tuesday, Oct. 23 and Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Exercise Scotian Pine will be the first provincial exercise using E-team, the software-management system that helped manage the response to the 9/11 attacks in New York City in 2001, as well as other significant international disasters and political events.

"Conducting an exercise on this scale will help us test systems that agencies use to further public safety in Nova Scotia," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Emergency Management. "From the public's viewpoint, it must be reassuring to know that the people who are in place to help, receive this regular training."

Craig MacLaughlan, CEO and deputy head of the Emergency Management Office, says provincial exercises are vital to effective emergency preparedness.

"We're very excited to be working this closely with the Municipality of Kings and Acadia University to test a number of weather-related scenarios," said Mr. MacLaughlan. "We have a long history in Nova Scotia of responding to hurricanes, floods and blizzards. This exercise will keep us all sharp and at the ready."

Mr. MacLaughlan said that with winter approaching, it's also good for residents to make sure they have a workable family emergency plan, emergency kits for homes and vehicles, and enough supplies to last for the first 72 hours in a crisis.

The Emergency Management Office is responsible for ensuring the safety of Nova Scotians and their property. The joint emergency operations centre is located in Dartmouth. EMO Nova Scotia also has regional offices in Kentville, Truro, Sydney and Lunenburg.