ONTARIO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STANDARDS
 
FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
 
AIM: To address increasing public safety risks in Ontario by developing improved community emergency management programs based on international best practices. The four core components of emergency management are: mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

SCOPE: Emergency management programs are divided into three levels: essential, enhanced and comprehensive. Each community must have, as a minimum, an emergency management program at the essential level. A community should then seek to progressively develop its program until the comprehensive level is reached. A comprehensive emergency management program is the best way to protect public safety and create disaster-resilient communities. A comprehensive community emergency management program also contributes to the protection of public health, the environment, property and economic stability.


INITIAL STEPS

Because each community has different and distinct hazards and risks, a hazard identification and risk assessment needs to be completed for the community. Hazards (what can occur) include natural, technological and human-caused events. The risk assessment determines how often and how severe the effects could be on public safety. This is generally understood as probability and consequences (impact and vulnerability). The results of these steps will indicate both the priorities and how the emergency management program should be developed for the community.

ESSENTIAL PROGRAMENHANCED PROGRAMCOMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM

  • Designation of a community emergency management coordinator

  • Formation of a community emergency management program committee

  • Publication of an approved community emergency response plan

  • Development of an appropriate community emergency operations centre

  • Identification of critical infrastructure

  • Development of an appropriate community emergency response capability

  • Conduct of annual training for the community control group and emergency operations centre staff

  • Conduct of an annual exercise to evaluate the community emergency response plan

  • Identification of individuals to act as community emergency information staff

  • Development and implementation of a community emergency management public awareness program

  • Conduct of an annual review of the community emergency management program

  • Publication of an enhanced community emergency response plan to include supporting plans for high risks (e.g. hazardous facility, flood, severe weather, transportation accidents, critical infrastructure etc.)

  • Publication of a supporting plan for the dissemination of emergency information including the designation and arrangements for a local information centre

  • Development of an enhanced community emergency operations centre to include detailed operating procedures, arrangements, and provision for appropriate specialist and auxiliary staff during an emergency

  • Development and implementation of an annual community emergency management training program involving appropriate staff, volunteer organizations, auxiliary staff and emergency services

  • Development and implementation of a community public education program based on identified high risks

  • Development and implementation of an annual self-assessment process to determine the quality and effectiveness of the community emergency management program

  • Development of mutual aid and assistance agreements with neighbouring communities and organizations

  • Development of a community mitigation strategy and plan for identified high risks

  • Publication of a community recovery plan for identified high risks

  • Implementation of guidelines for risk-based land use planning

  • Designation of community dangerous goods routes

  • Development and implementation of a detailed risk-based public education program

  • Development of a comprehensive community evacuation plan

  • Designation of a community emergency management week to publicize the emergency management program and recognize the contribution of all partners

  • Development and implementation of an external assessment process to determine the quality and effectiveness of the community emergency management program