Emergency services responsibility shifts to Forestry, Agriculture and Lands in N.L.

The provincial government says it is changing how it oversees emergency management in the province.

The Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands will assume responsibility for emergency services, including the Conception Bay North Response and Recovery program.

The Emergency Services Branch was previously housed within the Department of Justice and Public Safety and is responsible for developing and implementing the province’s emergency management response.

Officials say moving the branch will better align emergency management with the department’s wildfire suppression work and the government’s goal of supporting safer communities.

The province says the branch will also maintain what it describes as a modern and robust emergency management system in collaboration with emergency management partners and stakeholders.