The Town of Snow Lake is one of three Manitoba communities that received a community emergency preparedness award from the provincial government Nov. 28.
The other award recipients were the Rural Municipality of East St. Paul and the City of Steinbach.
“The Manitoba government is pleased to present these awards in partnership with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to recognize our most prepared communities,” said Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen in a Dec. 28 press release. “These communities have demonstrated excellence in developing and maintaining their emergency preparedness programs. We applaud the efforts of the emergency management teams in these municipalities who, with the support of elected leaders, clearly understand the importance of reducing the risk of disaster impacts on their communities through effective emergency preparedness.”
Manitoba communities are required by the Emergency Measures Act to have emergency preparedness programs, which can include detailed hazard and risk assessment, preparation and maintenance of emergency plans, public education programs, use of social media to communicate with the public and emergency management and response training programs.
Award recipients receive a framed certificate and a road sign stating, “We are a Prepared Community” to be erected in the community.
“Emergencies can happen at any time and without warning, so preparation is key,” said Joe Masi, executive director of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “While most communities do have an emergency plan in place, these three municipalities have gone above and beyond to ensure they, and their citizens, will be in the best position to handle any emergency that may arise.”
