Traffic Management Guidelines for Emergency Scenes Launched

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Firefighters and other emergency personnel in Nova Scotia
have new guidelines to help reduce the number of injuries
during emergency operations on roadways.

Nova Scotia's new Traffic Management Guidelines for Emergency Scenes were released Sunday, Oct. 22, at the annual meeting of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia.

"Working in or near moving traffic is dangerous and these guidelines provide practical maintenance and emergency safety procedures for our firefighters," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "Far too many people drive through accident scenes quickly and that compromises the safety of firefighters and victims."

The training manual, which will be available for all first responders in Nova Scotia, combines basic principles and guidelines of temporary traffic control with important information from firefighters experienced in assisting with emergency accidents.

"This manual will enhance responder safety and provide guidance to local fire departments," said Bob Cormier, provincial fire marshal. "We want to make sure that all firefighters are protected and safe so they can tend to their jobs as emergency personnel."

The manual has been developed in co-operation with the Department of Environment and Labour, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia, paramedics with Emergency Health Services and provincial police forces.

For a copy of the Traffic Management Guidelines for Emergency Scenes, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla .

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FOR BROADCAST USE:

     Firefighters and other emergency personnel in Nova Scotia

have new guidelines to help reduce the number of injuries

during emergency operations on roadways.

     Nova Scotia's new Traffic Management Guidelines for

Emergency Scenes were released Sunday (October 22nd) at the

annual meeting of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia.

     Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour, says the

guidelines will provide practical maintenance and emergency

safety procedures for all first responders.

     The training manual combines the basic principles and

guidelines of temporary traffic control with important

information from firefighters with years of experience in

assisting with emergency accidents.

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Media Contact: Janet Lynn McNeil
              Environment and Labour
              902-424-7420
              E-mail: mcneiljl@gov.ns.ca