Premier Tim Houston sets up emergency Nova Scotia Guard
Premier Tim Houston announced the establishment of the Nova Scotia Guard, a group of volunteers that will support communities during and after emergencies.
Houston cited climate change as the driving force for this move and said there is no question climate change is causing more frequent and severe storms, wildfires, floods and other emergencies.
“As we’ve seen time and again, whenever an emergency happens, the first thing Nova Scotians do is step up and help their neighbours, that’s the Bluenoser way,” said Houston. “The Nova Scotia Guard will enable us to call on volunteers who are ready to jump in and help their communities in their moment of need.”
Houston said the idea for the Nova Scotia Guard came after a number of severe weather events impacted parts of the province.
“The number one need we always have during these emergencies is the need for more people and more equipment,” said Houston. “You kind of want to over-resource these things, you wish you had more.”
Houston said a site will be established where people can sign up but in the meantime anyone wanting to put their name forward can do so by calling 2-1-1
The establishment of the Emergency Management Department replaces the Emergency Management Office, a portfolio that fell under provision of the minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Minister John Lohr will remain on as the minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and also take on the role as minister of the Emergency Management Department and oversee the Nova Scotia Guard.
The Emergency Management Department will oversee the Nova Scotia Guard and existing emergency response teams from across government, with expanded responsibilities such as:
- leading Nova Scotia’s co-ordinated emergency and disaster preparedness, response and recovery initiatives
- leading the co-ordination of all organizations, internal and external, that respond to emergencies and disasters
- working closely with communities, as well as Indigenous, federal, municipal and private-sector partners.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Tornadoes collapse buildings and level homes in Nebraska and Iowa
Tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest, causing a building to collapse with dozens of people inside and destroying and damaging hundreds of homes, many around Omaha, Neb.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
From New York to Arizona: Inside the head-spinning week of Trump's legal drama
The first criminal prosecution of a former president began in earnest with opening statements and testimony in a lower Manhattan courtroom. But the action quickly spread to involve more than half a dozen cases in four states and the nation's capital. Twice during the week, lawyers for Trump were simultaneously appearing in different courtrooms.