SASKATCHEWAN HELPS WITH RESPONSE TO BC FLOODING

The Government of Saskatchewan has sent personnel and equipment to help British Columbia respond to massive flooding which is forcing people from their homes.

Several communities along the Fraser River and through the interior of the province have declared states of local emergency and have issued evacuation orders due to high water levels.

The Government of British Columbia requested and was granted assistance from the Government of Saskatchewan, through the Emergency Management and Fire Safety Branch of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Government Relations. Three Emergency Services officers were deployed immediately to offer their expertise; they were followed by an eight-person rapid response team and flood-mitigation equipment, including almost eight kilometres of flood barrier and five automated, four-person sandbagging machines, as well as a variety of pumps and other equipment. The equipment and response team began arriving in Chilliwack yesterday.

"Saskatchewan has purchased a significant amount of flood protection equipment and gained a lot of experience dealing with flooding events in 2010 and 2011," Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said. "Public safety is absolutely critical and we're in a strong position, with equipment and experience, to share with British Columbia in their time of need."

Saskatchewan and other provinces and territories, including British Columbia, have had a Memorandum of Understanding in place to share resources in times of emergency since January 2011. This is the first time Saskatchewan has sent assistance under this agreement.

Emergency Services Officers from Saskatchewan arrived in British Columbia Sunday and are working out of the Provincial Region Emergency Operations Centre in Surrey. They will work with local emergency managers and responders to offer advice and assistance with the deployment of flood barriers around the region.

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For more information, contact:

Jeff Welke
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6156
Email: jeff.welke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1185