Community Emergency Management

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN ONTARIO

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act all communities must develop emergency management programs based on local hazards and risks and designate a Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) to oversee the program.

What is an emergency?

An emergency is defined in the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as “a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease, or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise."  Depending on the nature or magnitude of the situation, a coordinated response by a number of agencies may be required.  These emergencies are distinct from the normal, day-to-day operations carried out by the first response agencies such as police, fire or ambulance and would:

• Be widespread and catastrophic;
• Likely require a coordinated, multi-agency response and commitment of resources from police, fire, ambulance, Community Health Services, Social Services etc. 
• Likely require a substantial expenditure of funds, or borrowing of specialised equipment or resources for the response and recovery.

If a situation meets any of the above criteria, the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act gives the Head of Council of any municipality in Ontario, the authority to declare an emergency.  Only the Head of Council (or Premier of Ontario) may declare an emergency.

When would the County declare an emergency?

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, all municipalities in Ontario have complete authority to deal with the aftermath of a disaster (this includes each of Lambton County’s eleven member municipalities).  However, if a local municipality requires assistance, they have the ability to call upon the County.  Also, if a disaster impacts more than one municipality and requires a significant response by any County department, the County of Lambton also has the authority to declare an emergency.  

Why declare a County emergency during or following a disaster?

• It gives the Warden exceptional powers to direct County personnel, resources, supplies and equipment (i.e. suspension of corporate tendering policy);
• It places the Province on notice their assistance may be requested.  The Province can procure specialised equipment or activate response teams with specialised training (i.e. HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) or CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives)).  The Province will cover the cost for the use of such resources if an emergency is declared;
• It implements a business cycle for keeping records of actions, expenditure of funds etc.;
• It covers volunteers under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board legislation;
• It may provide for the County and local residents to make claims for financial assistance for disaster recovery (if a Disaster Area is identified and declared).

The County Control Group

A group of individuals representing different agencies would co-ordinate the County’s emergency response under the leadership of the County Warden.  Collectively, they are known as the County Control Group.  Some of its members are:

• Lambton County Warden
• Chief Administrative Officer
• Lambton OPP Inspector
• Lambton County Fire Coordinator
• Emergency Management Coordinator
• General Manager of Infrastructure and Development Services
• General Manager of Social Services
• General Manager of Public Health Services
• Medical Officer of Health
• Manager of Emergency Medical Services

Representatives from other agencies, local utilities or community response organizations can be added as required. 

This group meets at an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), located away from the actual disaster site.  The two primary roles of the County Control Group are to:

• Oversee and co-ordinate the County’s response and recovery (this includes continuation of essential services outside of the disaster area and assisting local municipalities as required) - The Control Group does not direct the on-scene response - the people at the disaster site have that responsibility and authority;
• Support the on-scene responders and obtain any resources or equipment as required.

Ending a County Emergency

An emergency declaration can be terminated at any time by the Warden, the majority of County Council or the Premier of Ontario.

Click here to learn more about Emergency Preparedness.