Support Available for Vulnerable Populations

Sunday, January 19, 2020 - 12:00 PM

As announced January 19, the Canadian Armed Forces are offering assistance to vulnerable residents of the City of St. John’s and other municipalities with snow clearing support.

Today, Municipal Affairs and Environment announced that the provincial emergency operations centre is now open and able to accept calls for this support, and they are ready to begin taking calls from St. John’s residents.

Residents should now call 709-729-3703 to request support, instead of contacting Access St. John’s as previously announced.

All calls and requests already sent to Access St. John’s have been forwarded to the provincial centre; you do not need to call again for assistance.

The provincial government has asked for patience as they manage requests and indicates that calls are being prioritized on the basis of need and not logged on a first-come-first-served basis.

If you require fire, police or ambulance, please call 911. Eastern Health also encourages the public to use the NL Health Line at 811 or 1-888-709-3555 to speak to a registered nurse or the mental health crisis line at 737-4668 or 1-888-737-4668. For missed appointments and other health related concerns, including emergency transportation to the hospital for dialysis, contact Eastern Health: 777-3571.

The City of St. John’s thanks the branches of our armed forces for their assistance in this matter and asks residents to please only call if the need is urgent.

Residents are also asked to please check on neighbours and help with snow clearing if able.