FRANCAIS

September 30, 2003

Manitobans will receive information on potential emergencies in a more timely and consistent manner as a result of the establishment of a new joint emergency alert system being phased in by the Manitoba government and the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba (BAM), Scott Smith, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), announced today.

"This new initiative is part of the provincial plan to enhance safety and security," said Smith. "Manitoba broadcasters have played a pivotal role in keeping Manitobans informed about emergency situations for many years. This new initiative is a joint effort that will build on the existing system to alert Manitobans to potential emergency situations in a more protocol based manner."

The new public emergency alert system protocol will involve the following procedures:

• EMO will identify potential public emergency situations including flooding, forest fires, dangerous goods accidents and other potential immediate threats to human lives;
• EMO will work with Communications Services Manitoba to issue specific information to broadcasters in areas affected by an emergency in an agreed upon format tailored to work for both radio and television broadcasts; and
• upon receipt of the information, it will be broadcast on radio within 15 to 30 minutes or in a modified version on television as a "crawl" along the bottom of the screen.

Smith said that phasing in this new process will include identifying a predetermined list of phone numbers and fax numbers for BAM participants and finalizing an agreed upon format for both radio and television broadcasts. To ensure accuracy, the system will be tested over the next month.

"Manitobans value the range of entertainment and information they receive from broadcasters everyday," said Wally Comrie, president of the broadcasters association. "We are pleased to be part of a program that builds on our record of service and reaches out to Manitobans when they urgently need information that we can help to provide."

Smith noted that this new alert system will be in addition to the public information already provided through news releases and news conferences on topics such as public health alerts and EMO responses and does not replace on site co-ordination and contact with local communities. Alerts will be issued under one or all of the following criteria:

• if there is an imminent and serious threat to human life or safety as determined by EMO;
• if an immediate broadcast may help to provide Manitobans with urgent information and direction on how to respond to an emergency; and
• if there is no other timely or effective way to notify people about a particular threat.

"I commend the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba for their commitment to this system," said Smith. "We are committed to pursuing good ideas such as this one as we continually work to provide a strong and effective emergency response system to protect Manitobans."

The list of BAM participants includes 30 radio stations and four television stations reaching virtually every area of the province.

EMO is responsible for the overall provincial emergency program including response operations and provides municipal services through five regional offices in addition to a central office in Winnipeg.

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