Emergency Management and Preparedness
An effective emergency response requires a Municipal Response Plan that mobilizes Municipal Emergency Services quickly and efficiently while fully integrating the use of all available public and private resources and capabilities. It provides a high level of control to ensure the proper mixing and coordination of all response elements in a timely and efficient manner. It establishes the arrangements and procedures necessary for a prompt response to an emergency within the framework of existing Emergency Response Plans. The Municipal Emergency Response Plan identifies and develops the mechanisms and arrangements necessary for the recovery from an emergency and the reduction of future risks.
The Emergency Response Plan is prepared to provide key officials, agencies, and departments with a general guidance to the initial response to an emergency and an overview of everyone’s responsibilities during an emergency. In order to have an effective plan everyone must be aware of the plan’s contents as well as their assigned functions and responsibilities. Further, the Municipal Emergency Response Plan encourages the development of individual Service Emergency Response Plans, the continued review and planning for various emergencies and the training of those who may be involved in a response.
When an emergency exists but has not yet been declared, municipal employees take such action(s) under the Municipality’s Emergency Response Plan as may be required to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the community. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) may be activated for any emergency for the purposes of managing the emergency by maintaining services to the community and supporting the emergency response.
What should I do?
Emergencies can happen at any time. Disaster resilient communities are those in which residents have taken the 3 steps of emergency preparedness:
By preparing now you can avoid panic, protect or limit damage to your property, and possibly save lives if disaster strikes.
