Emergency services in the National Capital Region have set “a new standard for emergency preparedness in Canada” after winning an award, an official with Operation Intersect said Monday.
Presented to Operation Intersect, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Award for Excellence in Emergency Preparedness “provides validation that the initiative undertaken in the National Capital Region is setting a new standard,” said steering committee co-chair and RCMP criminal operations officer chief superintendent Serge Therriault.
Operation Intersect was launched last year to co-ordinate emergency services and share information among emergency response agencies to increase public safety during large events or in the event of a terrorist threat or natural disaster within the NCR. Its partners include the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau and their police, fire and paramedics services; Canada Border Services Agency; Canadian Security and Intelligence Service; House of Commons Security Service; MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Ottawa Public Health; and Emergency Management Ontario.
The award was established to recognize a standard of excellence of the combined efforts of law enforcement, fire services and emergency medicine in preparing their agencies for response to natural or man-made disasters.
“Whether it is dealing with time-sensitive information, conducting routine business or planning for a major event, Operation Intersect enables participants to promote, enhance and optimize integrated response capabilities within the NCR,” said Operation Intersect steering committee co-chair and Ottawa Police deputy chief Sue O’Sullivan.
