WINNIPEG – June 26, 2008 – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) this morning added a new Major Incident Response Vehicle (MIRV) to its fleet to better serve the citizens of Winnipeg.  MIRV units are called upon where the potential or reality of a mass casualty situation exists, for the evacuation of large facilities such as nursing homes or apartment buildings, protracted incidents, bariatric transports, special events, CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive) incidents, inter-facility transfer of multiple patients or when rehabilitation may be required for WFPS staff at incidents. 

“This MIRV has been custom-built to meet the specific service needs of Winnipeg,” said Fire & Paramedic Chief Jim Brennan.  “The bus is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, and will be a central piece of equipment in the City’s emergency preparedness plans.”

The new MIRV is a 2007 Eldorado Transit Coach Bus converted by Crestline Coach to a multi-patient and multi passenger vehicle. There is patient capacity for eight stretcher patients: five on standard patient transport stretchers and three on portable stretchers.  It is one of only two such vehicles in Canada, the other belonging to the City of Toronto EMS. 

The MIRV will be on display for the public to view on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at The Forks.

WINNIPEG - June 26, 2008 – Committed to the provision of recreation and leisure services in Winnipeg, Jennifer Howard, MLA for Fort Rouge and Winnipeg City Councillor Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry ward) officially opened a new spray pad today at Fort Rouge Park, located at 295 River Avenue.

“I am pleased to be here to celebrate the grand opening of this new spray pad, and to thank all of the community and government partners who are committed to improving our urban parks and playgrounds,” said Fort Rouge MLA Jennifer Howard.  “This project is a great fit with Manitoba’s Healthy Living initiative as the site will promote activity and recreation options that are good for children and families.”

“This new facility in Fort Rouge Park will provide fabulous play opportunities for young people and families throughout our warm summer,” said Councillor Gerbasi. “The project will rejuvenate this beautiful green space in the Osborne Village neighborhood.”

Four new spray pads at Provencher Park, Fort Rouge Park, River Heights Community Centre and St. Norbert Community Centre are opening this summer. Each of the new spray pad is approximately 2,000 sq.ft. They are fully accessible and provide a place where children of all ages and abilities can safely and freely play together. Colourful and interactive water features provide a visually exciting character to the spray pads, offering a varied water play experience for its users at each site.

In addition to the spray pads, a larger splash park will be opening this summer at Norquay Park. The splash park combines the fun and accessibility of a spray pad with a wading pool and other aquatic play features.

The cost of the Fort Rouge spray pad, approximately $250,000, brings the total for the four spray pads to $1,040,000. The cost for the larger Norquay splash park is $600,000.

Funding for the outdoor aquatic play areas was provided by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg under the Manitoba-Winnipeg Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program.

For hours of operation and service of all City of Winnipeg aquatic facilities, please visit: http://winnipeg.ca and click on ‘communities’ and ‘pools’.

For more information contact:
Carmen Barnett, Press Secretary
Mayor’s Office, 510 Main Street
PH: 311