Prairie View Municipality and the City of Brandon were awarded the first Manitoba Community Emergency Preparedness Awards Friday at the Manitoba Disaster Management Conference in Winnipeg.

The award, which is handed out by the province and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), recognizes communities with programs meeting or exceeding standards.

"These recipients stand out amongst many Manitoba communities that have taken the steps to meet and exceed mandated emergency preparedness requirements and have come up with excellent plans," said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton. "Municipal leadership in these communities set the pace through thorough risk assessment, detailed planning, community preparedness education efforts, the use of social media for preparedness and response, and good training regimes."

The Emergency Measures Act requires communities to have emergency preparedness programs.

The award is presented annually to one community or municipality over 2,500 residents and one community or municipality with fewer than 2,500 residents.  

"This award recognizes the dedicated efforts and successes of communities as they work to protect their residents, the environment, infrastructure, property and economic stability," said Ashton. "It also recognizes the very important work of a dedicated core of part-time employees, volunteers, and municipal staff performing emergency preparedness above and beyond their regular jobs."

The award includes public recognition by the Manitoba government, a framed certificate and road signs stating, ‘We are a Prepared Community’.