Nov 2, 2017   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

New federal training program builds on marine emergency response in Indigenous communities on B.C. coast

OTTAWA, Nov. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - A new project from the Government of Canada is giving members of coastal Indigenous communities in British Columbia additional knowledge, skills and training to help build on the role they play in marine safety in their communities.

The first training session under the Indigenous Community Response Training project wrapped up this week at the Canadian Coast Guard station in Bamfield, B.C. Nine members from seven northern First Nations in the province graduated from the Coastal Nations Search and Rescue course. The participants were on the water for four days of training, taking part in advanced search and rescue simulations and live exercises with Canadian Coast Guard vessels.

The Indigenous Community Response Training project helps to enhance important search and rescue and environmental response capabilities within Indigenous communities through the delivery of a training curriculum tailored to meet the needs of individual communities. This will enhance emergency response partnerships between the Coast Guard and Indigenous communities.

The project falls under one of the four main priority areas identified in the Oceans Protection Plan that aims to strengthen partnerships and launch co-management practices with Indigenous communities, including building local emergency response capacity. Canada's $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan is designed to improve marine safety and protect Canada's marine environment and coastal communities.

Quotes

"Members of coastal and Indigenous communities in British Columbia play an important role in marine safety. They are often the first to arrive on the scene when incidents arise near remote coastal areas. The Indigenous Community Response Training project is just one of the ways we are partnering with coastal and Indigenous communities in B.C. to improve marine safety and protect our coasts."

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"We have enjoyed the Coast Guard training in Bamfield very much. We look forward to the Coast Guard folks visiting our communities so that we can introduce them to our culture and our territories."

Michelle Atchison, Nisga'a Nation

Quick Facts

    --  The Indigenous Community Response Training project provides participants
        with classroom and hands-on training and education on topics like Marine
        Search and Rescue, Environmental Response, and the Incident Command
        System, which is quickly becoming the standard methodology when
        responding to maritime and other all-hazard incidents across Canada.
    --  In addition to formal training sessions under this project, the Canadian
        Coast Guard will deliver other certificate courses to Indigenous
        participants throughout the year, including Marine Advanced First Aid
        and First Responder Oil Spill Training.
    --  The Indigenous Community Response Training project is an important piece
        of the foundation in continuing to build upon the strong partnerships
        between the Government of Canada and coastal First Nations in B.C.,
        including the expansion of Indigenous Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
        Units in the province.
    --  Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working
        with Indigenous and coastal communities and marine stakeholders to help
        keep Canadian waters and coasts safe and clean for today and into the
        future.
    --  The next training session will take place in Bamfield, B.C. in February
        2018.

Associated Links

    --  Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue services
    --  Oceans Protection Plan

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada