News Release
Commissionaires Contributing to Flooding and Forest Fires Emergency Efforts in Saskatchewan
A farm near the Town of Estevan
Saskatchewan, 29 June 2011 - Commissionaires has been actively supporting emergency efforts in Saskatchewan in response to severe flooding and forest fires affecting the southeast and northern regions of the province respectively. The extreme weather afflicting much of the province has been responsible for the flooding and fires.
The initial call for support came from Saskatchewan’s Department of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing in May after the heavy spring thaw left much of the province under abnormally high water levels, causing severe flooding. Within an hour of that call, a contingent of commissionaires was mobilized to support the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Regina.
The quick response was the result of the partnership between Commissionaires and the EOC. This relationship allows Commissionaires to provide and deploy trained, experienced commissionaires in response to a requirement for provincial emergency support or a declared state of emergency. Many of Saskatchewan’s flood-stricken towns declared states of emergency.
“Commissionaires Saskatchewan is plugged into the province’s emergency response capability,” according to Cliff Walker, CEO of the South Saskatchewan Division of Commissionaires. “As a result, provincial first responders can count on us to hit the ground running when an emergency strikes.”
The deployed commissionaires were located in the areas of Regina, Weyburn and Estevan. In addition to flooding homes and businesses, the severe weather wreaked havoc on the road system and other transportation links, further complicating emergency efforts.
“This is an important responsibility and one we take very seriously” stated Randy Brooks, Director of Business Development for Commissionaires South Saskatchewan. “It is an honour to be trusted by the provincial government and the population in desperate situations. They know they can count on us.”
As provincial authorities responded to the flooding, menacing forest fires broke out in a large region 700 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. Once again Commissionaires was called to action, deploying two additional staff members to assist in a 24 hour mission to help the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Security Services tend to a fire located near McDowell District in northern Saskatchewan.
Among other responsibilities, commissionaires coordinated incoming crisis calls from afflicted members of the population and first responders, and delegated emergency response assets around the clock.
As the saying goes, bad things happen in threes and it was the case for Saskatchewan. Several weeks after the flooding receded, heavy spring rains flooded the afflicted area a second time. Again, Commissionaires sprung into action, supporting provincial emergency responders. Eight commissionaires are currently deployed in Southeast Saskatchewan as part of this renewed flood effort.
“Premier Brad Wall and his emergency authorities are highly appreciative of the support Commissionaires has provided to the flood and fire efforts” stated Walker. “Our professional assistance in challenging circumstances and on extremely short notice to the various operations has made a significant contribution to the province’s overall response.”
It is anticipated that Commissionaires may continue to support the province in its flood and forest fire emergency efforts into the foreseeable future.
About Commissionaires
Commissionaires was founded in 1925 to provide meaningful employment opportunities for former members of Canada’s military, a role that was later expanded to include former RCMP personnel as well. The organization has long been recognized as a premier Canadian security provider, protecting people and property and delivering security solutions for public and private sector clients from coast to coast. Commissionaires is able to deliver upon its mandate of providing short and long-term employment options to those making the transition to civilian life following military and police service by operating a thriving, self-sustaining private business. The not-for-profit organization also hires many responsible, motivated individuals without military or police experience. Its core values of dedication, responsibility, experience and sense of mission are embodied in the culture of Commissionaires, setting it apart in the security industry.
For more information contact:
Cliff Walker
CEO
Commissionaires South Saskatchewan
T 306 352 4959
cwalker@commissionaires.sk.ca
Randy Brooks
Director of Business Development
Commissionaires South Saskatchewan
T 306 541 4393
rbrooks@commissionaires.sk.ca
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