Today marks a major milestone in mutual aid deployments as the Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Arrangement (PNEMA) launches the first cross-border collaboration in emergency response exercises between Washington State and British Columbia.

Six Government of B.C. employees have been deployed to Camp Murray to participate with the Washington State Emergency Management Division for a simulated catastrophic earthquake exercise that has also activated the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre on Vancouver Island.

Premier Christy Clark, participated with a simulated call to Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, offering mutual aid assistance while Justice Minister Shirley Bond arrived this morning at the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre for a briefing and to be involved in the simulated cross-ministry call between ministers and deputy ministers.

The two-day exercise on June 5 and 6 simultaneously activates emergency operation centres (EOCs) on both sides of the border - Washington State's EOC in response, and British Columbia's Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre in mutual aid support. In addition to B.C.'s involvement, six Washington State counties, over 75 cities, four United States First Nations and 21 private-sector partners are joining the exercise with state and federal agencies. A second and third exercise, dealing with logistics and the recovery component, will follow in the weeks ahead.

The exercise undertaken today and tomorrow recognizes that B.C. and Washington share natural hazard concerns such as wildfires and major earthquakes, in addition to flood and drought issues related to cross-border rivers. It also recognizes that the two jurisdictions share infrastructure vulnerabilities such as power grids, natural gas pipelines and transportation corridors. A collaborative cross-border approach provides for the co-ordination of resources and support during emergencies in a timely manner.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark -

"In the event of a significant emergency, our neighbours across the border can provide support that might save lives in British Columbia, and vice versa. This exercise strengthens our readiness and emergency response relationships and helps ensure the public safety of British Columbians and our U.S. neighbours."

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"This is a historic event on both sides of the border, marking the inaugural use of our international mutual aid agreement (PNEMA) that has been more than 20 years in the making. This allows us to test cross-border co-operation to help us maximize regional readiness, resources and responsiveness in the event of a real disaster."

Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, director, Washington Military Department -

"Evergreen Earthquake Exercise will be one of the largest emergency response exercises ever conducted in the State of Washington. We are pleased the Province of British Columbia will join us in the exercise to conduct the first test of the Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Arrangement, which sets up a mechanism for mutual aid to our state in the event of a major disaster."

Jim Mullen, director, Washington State Emergency Management Division -

"Washington State Emergency Management Division staff look forward to working with counterparts from the Provincial Emergency Management Program in the Evergreen Earthquake Exercise June 5-6. The cross-training of the state and provincial staffs is significant to help the state and province to improve their emergency response and co-ordinate their programs."

Quick Facts:

• The PNEMA was originally signed in 1996 by the governors of Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Oregon and the premiers of B.C. and the Yukon Territory to help maximize use of available regional resources, expedite timely and flexible cross-border emergency preparedness, response, and recovery deployment and enhance Pacific Northwest regional relationships.
• PNEMA provides for co-operative activities to improve civil preparedness and response across jurisdictional boundaries on the premise that a timely regional response is important in matters affecting public welfare.
• In addition to sharing warnings and notifications across boundaries, PNEMA provides for sharing of public health information, specimens and laboratory data.
• In the event of a large scale emergency, mutual assistance would include sharing resources, such as health-care personnel.
• PNEMA also provides for movement of evacuees or refugees.
• The exercise objectives are organized into five overarching themes:

1. Information Sharing and Situational Awareness.

2. Logistics and Resource Management.

3. Medical Response Operations.

4. Sheltering and Mass Care.

5. Regional Transportation Resiliency.

Media Use Files:

Media can download raw footage, photos and audio from both B.C. and Washington's Emergency Operations Centres (EOC's) at: http://sendtonews.com?SK=AOLZF7N4GD

To view and download photos from the two EOC's, visit: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzRffp9

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961