Community Preparedness

The first level of government response in dealing with an emergency is the local authority. If an emergency exceeds or is likely to exceed the capacity of the local authority, the local authority activates a second level of response, which involves sharing resources from adjoining or neighbouring municipalities (mutual aid agreements). When these two combined levels of response are exceeded or are in danger of being exceeded, the local authority may request provincial government assistance. And, once provincial government involvement occurs, federal support and assistance may be arranged by provincial authorities, if needed.

Responsibility for the control and conduct of municipal emergency operations rests with the local authority. The local authority may, however, be advised and assisted by representatives of provincial departments and agencies in order to provide a coordinated municipal/provincial response. In addition, emergencies may occur where a full local government does not exist or is rendered inoperative by the emergency, or where the nature and/or magnitude of the emergency exceeds the resources of the municipality. In these types of instances, provincial departments or the provincial response organization may be required to assume responsibility for control and conduct of the emergency operations.

Public Safety works with municipalities to assist with the development of emergency plans and to provide information on municipal emergency preparedness, planning committee structures, legislation, emergency response, mutual aid agreements and the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program. Advisors from Public Safety are also available to attend council and/or planning meetings, develop community-specific presentations, assist with exercise design and delivery, and provide on-site advice to municipalities during an incident.

During an emergency, individual preparedness may help tip the scales between being a victim and a survivor. Information brochures for individual preparedness are available to provide guidelines prior to, during and after emergency strikes.