Members of the Nova Scotia public who wish to help out in the event of a disaster will be able to sign up for a new volunteer corps to be known as the Nova Scotia Guard. Premier Tim Houston speaks to reporters at the Nova Scotia legislature in Halifax, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese CANADAHALIFAX news Nova Scotia to create new volunteer ‘guard’ corps for emergencies by admin 29 مارس، 2024 written by admin 29 مارس، 2024 54 CITYnews halifax / By The Canadian Press HALIFAX — Nova Scotians who want to help during natural disasters will be able to sign up for a new volunteer corps called the Nova Scotia Guard. Premier Tim Houston announced Thursday that anyone with usable skills can register with the province, which will build a pool of volunteers who first responders and community organizations can call on during or after emergencies. “There’s no question that climate change is causing more frequent and severe storms,” Houston said. “Unfortunately, we know we can expect more of these weather events going forward.” Houston says the guard will be overseen by the new Department of Emergency Management, which would replace the existing Emergency Management Office under legislation tabled by the government. The new department will be led by John Lohr, the minister currently responsible for the Emergency Management Office. The department is expected to be established in the fall, following consultations with municipalities and community organizations. Houston said the reorganization will allow the province to respond more efficiently to climate-related emergencies such as wildfires and flooding. “We are at a moment in time when we need to strengthen our overall emergency response and transition to a culture of emergency preparedness,” he said. “The Nova Scotia Guard is about harnessing the many talents of Nova Scotians and their sense of community.” The premier said there would be a vetting process to determine how people can help in emergency situations. The idea for the volunteer guard, he said, is to “over-resource” so that the province can avoid having shortages of people available to tackle any problems that arise. “Where you wish you had more people doing a search, more people shovelling snow, more people fighting the fire,” Houston said. Lynne McCarron, executive director for United Way Cape Breton, said a guard corps can help organizations plan in advance. “So we don’t have people signing up for something that they are not capable or qualified to do,” McCarron said. “I have lots of people coming to me to volunteer, but it’s putting them in the right space and working with the right organizations that have the right qualifications.” As an example, she said, she learned after post-tropical storm Fiona in 2022 that not just anyone can cut down trees that are especially tall. “If they are high enough I need an arborist to do that,” McCarron said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2024. The Canadian Press 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail admin previous post Nova Scotia sees 35 per cent cut in international student permit applications in 2024 next post Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious ‘McDonald’s murders’ in Cape Breton You may also like أونتاريو: نائبة تتحدى أمراً بنزع كوفيتها وتتعهد بمواصلة... 27 أبريل، 2024 تمويل فدرالي وكيبيكي بقيمة 100 مليون دولار دعماً... 27 أبريل، 2024 First court appearance for boy and girl charged... 27 أبريل، 2024 Province officially reaches tentative deal with teachers 27 أبريل، 2024 Mounties investigate hate-motivated graffiti in Porters Lake 27 أبريل، 2024 ‘Much-needed’ seniors complex gets funding in Dartmouth 27 أبريل، 2024 Nova Scotia pair face weapons charges after New... 27 أبريل، 2024 Graffiti at Hammonds Plains school being investigated as... 26 أبريل، 2024 Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole dies at 90 26 أبريل، 2024 Nova Scotia elver fisher says early signs of... 26 أبريل، 2024