News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick’s River Watch team has earned an award of excellence for innovation in the public sector.

The KIRA (Knowledge Industry, Recognition and Achievement) Award was presented to River Watch during ceremonies in Fredericton on May 7.

“This is an example of how our government is seizing opportunities for innovation to move New Brunswick forward,” said Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Stephen Horsman. “New technology is being utilized by the River Watch team to provide important and critical information during spring flood conditions.”

A first in Canada, the River Ice Observation and Reporting System was developed by the Hydrology Center of the Department of Environment and Local Government in co-operation with the Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Measures Organization and NB Power.

“This is the type of collaboration that drives innovation,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny. “Our government recognizes that changes in climate require better preparedness for extreme weather events, and that preparation begins with accurate and timely information sharing.”

River Watch uses the observation and reporting system to electronically document and share information on ice freeze-up, ice break-up and ice jam locations in real time with government agencies.

“We have been working in collaboration with Environment and Local Government and the Emergency Measures Organization since 2013 on this technology,” said Keith Cronkhite, vice-president of business development and generation for NB Power. “NB Power was able to contribute procedures that we were already using in our dam operations along the St. John River. This innovative technology has changed the way we are able to report our spring freshet conditions, improved our level of preparation and helped us to better inform the population on what the river conditions are during the spring thaw.”

“I am proud this innovation, developed for the safety and security of New Brunswickers, has been recognized with a KIRA award,” Horsman said. “The new system was utilized by River Watch officials to locate, monitor and predict ice movement during this year’s spring freshet which is now coming to a close.”

Hosted by Knowledge Park, the 16th annual KIRA awards recognize and promote the accomplishments of companies and individuals who are leading the way in technology, entrepreneurship and innovation in New Brunswick.

The award categories for 2014 included most promising start-up, innovation in both the private and public sectors; industry champion and economic impact. Nominations come from across the province as did the award recipients.

Innovation in the Public Sector category recognizes the adoption of an innovative new solution or approach for the delivery of a new or existing service over the past 12 months.

The Emergency Measures Organization co-ordinates emergency preparedness and provincial response operations during emergencies, and also administers disaster financial assistance programs.