RUNCIMAN CHALLENGES BORDER COMMUNITIES TO
PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE
VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM
PRESCOTT — Bob Runciman, Minister of Public
Safety and Security, today issued a challenge
to all border communities to participate in
the Community Emergency Response Volunteers
Ontario (CERV Ontario) program, when he unveiled
Prescott as the latest CERV pilot site and presented
the mayor of Prescott with a CERV helmet.
“In light of the recent global unrest,
now more than ever, it’s critically important
for all communities to be prepared to deal with
disasters, particularly our border communities,”
said Runciman. “CERV Ontario volunteers
are trained to help their neighbours,”
Runciman continued. “And when the emergency
professionals arrive, our CERV volunteers will
then take direction from the professionals and
provide them with effective support.”
Robert Lawn, Mayor of Prescott, said he’s
proud his community has been asked to participate
as a pilot site for the CERV program. "Safety
and security is a priority for Prescott, and
CERV is a great resource for the people of Ontario,”
said Lawn.
Police Chief Bryan Sommerville said he is proud
Prescott has been asked to pilot the CERV program.
"I strongly support the idea of CERV and
believe that using trained community volunteers
is another great tool to help manage risks and
hazards that threaten public safety,”
Sommerville said.
Prescott Fire Chief Bill Lawrence also endorses
CERV. “This is a great opportunity for
citizens from Prescott and the surrounding area,
to offer their time and skills and to serve
their neighbours in time of need," said
Lawrence.
CERV Ontario is a grassroots, province-wide,
made-in-Ontario community volunteer emergency
response program designed to become a vital
component in the province’s overall emergency
and disaster management strategy. CERV Ontario
strengthens Ontario’s resources to manage
the risks and hazards that threaten public safety
in emergencies by employing the can-do spirit
of compassion and co-operation demonstrated
by residents across the province during the
1998 ice storm.
There are ten municipalities participating
as pilot sites: Barrie, Brampton, Carleton Place,
Carling, Hamilton, Oliver Paipoonge, Pelee Township,
Prescott, Timmins and Windsor. A
province-wide rollout of CERV Ontario will take
place this spring.
