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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP
OF SOUTH ALGONQUIN
BY-LAW NUMBER 2024-785
Being a By-Law to adopt an Emergency Response Plan under Sections 2.1 (2)
(a) and 3 (1) of the Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act, R.S.O.,
1990, Ch. E 9, as amended.
WHEREAS the Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act, Section 2.1 (2) (a)
and Section 3(1) requires every municipality to develop and implement an
emergency plan;
NOW THEREFORE Council for The Township of South Algonquin hereby
ENACTS as follows:
1) The Document "The Municipal Emergency Response Plan for the Township
of South Algonquin" attached hereto as "Schedule A" shall be and is adopted
as the emergency plan of The Township of South Algonquin.
2) In accordance with Section 3(6) of the Emergency Management & Civil
Protection Act, R.S.O., 1990, Ch. E9, as amended, Schedule "A" shall be
reviewed and, if necessary, revised, (at least once each calendar year);
3) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of Schedule "A" hereto and
the provisions of any statute, regulation or other law, the provisions of such
statute, regulation, or other law shall govern;
4) That this By-law shall come into force and effect on the date of Third and
Final reading.
READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME on March 6, 2024
________________________ _______________________________
Ethel LaValley - Mayor
Bryan Martin-CAO/Clerk Treasurer
READ A THIRD TIME, PASSED AND ENACTED on March 6, 2024
_________________________ _______________________________
Ethel LaValley - Mayor Bryan Martin-CAO/Clerk Treasurer
TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH ALGONQUIN
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Revision 7
1
Municipal Emergency Response Plan
Revision 7
2024
TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH ALGONQUIN
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Revision 7
2
FOREWARD
In accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act R.S.O. 1990,
there is a requirement for all municipalities, ministers of the Crown and designated
agencies, boards, commissions and other branches of government to develop and
maintain an emergency management program consisting of emergency plans, training
programs and exercises, public education and any other elements prescribed by
Regulation.
The Municipal Emergency Response Plan for the Township of South Algonquin
establishes a framework document for responding to any type of emergency and
outlines the following:
- Policy for emergency management
- Emergency response strategies
- Concept of Operations
- Roles and responsibilities
The Municipal Emergency Response Plan is an "umbrella" document for the Township's
risk-specific plans and implementing procedures. Local emergency plans, and those of
external agencies support this document. This plan establishes an effective system of
emergency management to accomplish the following specific purposes:
- To reduce the vulnerability of South Algonquin residents and visitors to the loss
of life, to the loss of infrastructure or to the adverse health effects resulting from a
natural or human-caused event.
- To ensure the preservation of essential municipal services and the local
economic base.
- To prepare for prompt and efficient response and recovery activities for the
protection of lives, property and infrastructure affected by the emergency.
- To respond to all emergencies using all existing systems, plans and resources
necessary to preserve the health, safety and welfare of persons affected by an
emergency.
TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH ALGONQUIN
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forward.............................................................................................2-7
1.0 Introduction...................................................................................8
2.0 Aim...............................................................................................9
3.0 Legal Authority..............................................................................10
3.1 Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act......................................10
3.2 Ontario Regulation 380/04.................................................................11-12
3.3 Municipal By-Laws...........................................................................12
4.0 Definition of an Emergency..............................................................13
4.1 Actions prior to an Emergency Declaration........................................13
5.0 Emergency Notification Procedures..................................................14-15
6.0 Requests for Assistance..................................................................15
7.0 Declared Municipal Emergencies......................................................16-17
8.0 Declared Provincial Emergencies......................................................18-19
9.0 Provincial Orders and Special Powers................................................19-20
10. Terminating a Provincial Emergency...................................................21
11. Mutual Assistance............................................................................21-22
12. Municipal Control Group...................................................................23
13. Composition of the Municipal Control Group.......................................24
14. Additional MCG Staff and Resources..................................................25
15. MCG Operating Cycle........................................................................26
16. Responsibilities of the Municipal Control Group..................................27
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17. Additional Duties of the MCG............................................................28
18. Individual Responsibilities of the MCG...............................................29
18.1 Mayor............................................................................................29
18.2 CAO/ Clerk-Treasurer/CEMC 2nd Alternate...........................................29
18.3 Deputy-Clerk..................................................................................30
18.4 Deputy Treasurer ..........................................................................31
18.5 Planning & Building Administrator/ CEMC 1st Alternate...........................31
18.6 Community Emergency Management Coordinator.................................32-33
18.7 Works Superintendent.....................................................................34-35
18.8 Operations Foreman - Public Works...................................................35
18.9 South Algonquin Fire Service: Overview...............................................36
18.9.1 Fire Chief....................................................................................37
18.9.2 Deputy Fire Chief...........................................................................38
18.9.3 Captains.......................................................................................38
18.9.4 Firefighters....................................................................................38
18.10 Municipal Council...........................................................................39
18.11 Chief Building Official / By-Law Enforcement Officer..............................39-40
18.12 Office of the Fire Marshal & Emergency Management............................40
18.12.1 OFMEM Field Officers...................................................................41
18.12.2 OFMEM PERT Team.....................................................................41
18.12.3 Provincial Emergency Operations Centre / Duty Officer........................41
18.13 Ontario Provincial Police..................................................................42
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18.14 Emergency Medical Services (EMS)..................................................43-44
18.15 Emergency Social Services: Overview................................................44
18.15.1 Emergency Social Services- Municipal Duties...................................45
18.15.2 District of Nipissing Emergency Social Services.................................45
18.16 Canadian Red Cross Society - Disaster Services.................................45-46
18.17 Non-Government Agencies (NGO's)...................................................46
18.18 Government Ministries.....................................................................46
18.19 Emergency Information Officer..........................................................47
18.20 Municipal Spokesperson..................................................................48
19. Support & Advisory Staff to the MCG..................................................48
19.1Chief Medical Officer of Health (RCDHU)...............................................48-49
19.2 St. Francis Memorial Hospital.............................................................49
19.3 South Algonquin Family Health Team...................................................50
19.4 Local Boards of Education..................................................................50-51
19.5 Enhanced 9-1-1 Services...................................................................51
19.5.1 Bell Canada 911 Services................................................................52
19.5.2 Community Emergency Reporting Bureau- North Bay O.P.P...................52
19.5.3 Remote Agency Call Centre: OPP Smith's Falls....................................52
19.5.4 Remote Agency Call Centre- SAFD (Northern 911)............ ..................53
19.5.5 Remote Agency Call Centre: Land Ambulance (MOHLTC)......................53
19.6 Utilities Representatives.....................................................................54
19.7 Legal Services Representatives......................................................... 54
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19.8 Human Resources Manager.............................................................54
19.9 Citizen Inquiry Supervisor................................................................55
19.10 Transportation Services..................................................................55
19.11 Tele-Communications Coordinator....................................................56
19.12 Local Business and Industry............................................................56
20. Use of Volunteers in Emergencies.....................................................57
21. Volunteer Recruitment.....................................................................58
22. Emergency Operations.....................................................................59
22.1 Incident Command..........................................................................59
22.2 Single Command............................................................................59
22.3 Unified Command...........................................................................60
22.4 Establishing Incident Command.........................................................60
22.5 Responsibilities for Establishing Incident Command...............................61
22.6 Provincial & Federal Incident Command...............................................61
22.7 Individual Responsibilities of the Incident Commander............................62
22.8 Incident Action Plans........................................................................62
22.9 Safety Officer..................................................................................63
22.10 Transferring Incident Command........................................................63
22.11 Terminating Incident Command........................................................64
22.12 EOC's and Incident Command.........................................................64
23. Tele-Communications Plan...............................................................65
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24. Emergency Information Plan...................................................65
24.1 Emergency Information Centres & Staff......................................66
24.2 Media Centres........................................................................67
24.3 Spokespersons for Outside Agencies.........................................67
25. Distribution List......................................................................68
26. Program Review.....................................................................69
27. Public Consultation and Review................................................69
28. Annexes and Supporting Plans.................................................70-71
29. Municipal Emergency Response Plan By-Law............................72
TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH ALGONQUIN
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
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1.0 Introduction
The Township of South Algonquin is located along the Highway 60 corridor in Nipissing
District in the northeastern section of Ontario. The municipality has a land mass of 873
square kilometres (80% is Crown land) and features a population of 1,055 permanent
residents in 894 private dwellings. A resource-based economy employs 49% of the local
work force. Located adjacent to Algonquin Provincial Park, the municipality was formed
in 1998 by amalgamating the Village of Whitney (Airy Township) with the former
unincorporated geographic Townships of Murchison, Lyell, Dickens and Sabine.
A "risk-based" emergency management program was created in 2003 to deal with
actual or potential emergencies. The program is administered by the Community
Emergency Management Coordinator(s) who ensure the development, implementation
and maintenance of the program in association with the Emergency Management
Program Committee. Core components of the program include prevention, mitigation
and preparedness strategies and emergency response and recovery plans.
A coordinated emergency response system, under the direction of the Municipal Control
Group (MCG) provides for the implementation of distinct arrangements and protocols
which exceeds the normal operations of emergency service. The Municipal Emergency
Response Plan provides key officials with specific emergency response information
relating to:
- Arrangements, services, equipment and,
- Roles and responsibilities during an emergency
For information on any aspect of emergency management please contact:
Community Emergency Management Coordinator
Township of South Algonquin
P.O. Box 217 Whitney, Ontario
KOJ 2MO
613 - 637 - 2650
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2.0 AIM
Municipalities are the responsible and accountable governments with respect to matters
within their jurisdiction and each municipality is given powers and duties under many
Acts for the purpose of providing good government with respect to these matters.
The primary reason for establishing an emergency management program is to improve
public safety through a coordinated and pre-identified process for responding to critical
situations. A realistic emergency management program will assist in protecting lives,
critical infrastructure, property and the environment while promoting economic stability
and ensuring the continuance of critical assets and government.
South Algonquin is not immune to disaster according to our historical past. An annual
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) is developed gauging the probability
and consequence of each known hazard. This local "Risk Profile" provides accurate
direction in relation to emergency planning and response.
Potential emergency situations may include forest fires, human health emergencies,
critical infrastructure failures and flood concerns. In 2013, South Algonquin formally
declared a state of emergency in response to historic flood levels and the potential
failure of the Galeairy Lake Dam in Whitney.
The "risk-based" method being used ensures that the municipality can respond to any
type and level of community emergency. An efficient "Recovery Plan" results in local
economic recovery, stabilizes confidence in government and returns the community to a
state of "normalness".
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3.0 LEGAL AUTHORITY
The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and Ontario Regulation
380/04 provide the legal authority for emergency plans in Ontario.
3.1 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT
Section 3 (1) of the Act states
Every municipality shall formulate an emergency plan governing the provision of
necessary services during an emergency and the procedures under and the manner in
which employees of the municipality and other persons will respond to the emergency
and the council of a municipality shall by by-law adopt the emergency plan.
R.S.O. 2002, c.14, S.5(1).
Section 3(6)
Every municipality shall review and, if necessary, revise its emergency plan every year.
Section 4(1) Emergency Declaration
"The head of council of a municipality may declare that an emergency exists in the
municipality or in any part thereof and may take such actions and make such orders as
he/she considers necessary and are not contrary to law to implement the emergency
plan of the municipality to protect the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the
emergency area".
Under Section 4(2) of the Act, the Head of Council shall notify forthwith the Solicitor
General of a declaration made under subsection (1) or (2). The Head of Council or the
Council of a municipality may at any time declare an emergency has terminated.
The EMCPA also requires every municipality to submit the most current version of their
emergency response plan to the Chief, Emergency Management Ontario Sec 6.2(1).
Municipalities must also conform to the standards of the Occupational Health & Safety
Act and must take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of workers. Section
7.1(8) of the EMCPA states that "the Occupational Health & Safety Act, or a Regulation
made under it, shall prevail over other Acts", including the Emergency Management Act.
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3.2 ONTARIO REGULATION 380/04
This Regulation sets out municipal standards for emergency management programs.
Section 10 (1)
Every municipality shall designate an employee of the municipality or a member of the
council as its emergency management coordinator.
Section 10 (2)
The emergency management coordinator shall complete the training that is required by
the Chief, Emergency Management Ontario.
Section 10 (3)
The emergency management program coordinator shall coordinate the development
and implementation of the municipality's emergency management program within the
municipality and shall coordinate the municipality's emergency management program in
so far as possible with the emergency management programs of other municipalities
and ministries of the Ontario government and of organizations outside of government
that are involved in emergency management.
Section 10 (4)
The emergency management coordinator shall report to the municipality's emergency
management program committee.
Section 11 (1) Every municipality shall have an emergency management program
committee. The committee shall be composed of:
- Emergency management program coordinators
- Senior municipal official, appointed by Council
- Such members of Council, as appointed by Council
- Municipal employees who are responsible for emergency management functions
- Other persons, as appointed by Council
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3.2 ONTARIO REGULATION 380/04
Section 11 (5) Council shall appoint one of the members of the committee to be the
chair of the committee.
Section 11 (6) The committee shall conduct an annual review of the municipality's
emergency management program and shall make recommendations to the council for
its revision if necessary.
3.3 MUNICIPAL BY-LAWS
South Algonquin's Emergency Management Program was first introduced in May,2003
as approved by Council under authority of By-Law # 03-180.
The most recent Emergency Management Program By-Law and the Emergency
Management Response Plan being;
- By-law # 2024-784, being a By-law adopting the municipality's Emergency
Management Program.
- By-law # 2024-785 authorizing a revised Municipal Emergency Response Plan
described as Revision 7, 2024.
The CEMC shall review the Municipal Emergency Response Plan annually. If revisions
to the plan are required, the CEMC shall revise the emergency plan and submit it for
Council approval by By-law, per Section 3 (6) of the Emergency Management & Civil
Protection Act.
This Municipal Emergency Response Plan will be filed with the Office of the Fire
Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) following Council approval and its
adoption by municipal by-law.
Municipalities are required to meet stringent program requirements and submit program
verification forms to OFMEM prior to December 31st of each calendar year. It is the
responsibility of the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) to
ensure program compliance. Both the CEMC and the Head of Council are required to
sign these forms as part of the program completion process.
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4.0 Definition of an Emergency
An "emergency" is defined as:
"a situation or impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that
could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property that is caused
by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether
intentional or otherwise".
(EMCPA R.S.O. 2006, Sec 1.)
An "emergency area" is defined as the area in which an emergency exists.
A "disaster" is defined as an emergency which severely incapacitates a community.
4.1 Actions prior to an Emergency Declaration
When an emergency exists, but has not yet been declared to exist, municipal
employees may take such actions as may be required to protect the health, safety,
welfare and property of the inhabitants of the emergency area. The associated plans
and information attached as "Annexes" to the Municipal Emergency Response Plan
may be implemented in whole, or in part, in the absence of a formal emergency
declaration.
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5.0 Emergency Notification Procedures
Only a member of the Municipal Control Group (MCG) may initiate the emergency
notification procedure. When a member of the MCG receives a warning of a real or
potential emergency, or of a significant event requiring a response above normal
emergency response procedures, the member will immediately contact the Municipal
CA0/Clerk-Treasurer. If the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer cannot be contacted, or is unable to
act, then the "Designated Alternate" should be contacted, refer to Annex # 1 Notification
& Contacts. The Community Emergency Management Coordinators should also be
contacted immediately. The MCG member initiating the call must provide all the
pertinent details of the emergency as part of the notification procedure.
When it becomes apparent that the critical situation requires that municipal officials take
immediate action, the CEMC's should ensure that the Emergency Management
Program is activated, and the Municipal Emergency Response Plan is engaged at a
sufficient level to mitigate the emergency. There are four levels of activation:
Level 1 Routine Monitoring
Normal surveillance activities...Prepare for known or forecasted events. Ensure
operational readiness for unforeseen events.
Level 2 Enhanced Monitoring
Increased monitoring and preparedness for emerging or unexpected events...MCG
may/may not be convened, depending upon the nature of the emergency. Formal
emergency declaration may / may not be in effect.
Level 3 Partial Activation of Emergency Response Plan
Situation may require the deployment of municipal resources and activation of the
Municipal Emergency Response Plan. EOC may be operational, and MCG may be
convened as necessary. An emergency declaration may / may not be in effect.
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5.0 Emergency Notification Procedures
Level 4 Full activation of Emergency Response Plan
Resources deployed to mitigate the emergency as required. The Emergency Operations
Centre is operational at an appropriate level of operation and appropriate location. MCG
may be convened and staffed at an adequate level. Head of Council may declare a
formal state of emergency.
Once contacted, it is the duty of the Municipal Control Group members to report to the
appropriate Emergency Operations Centre, as directed in the notification order. If the
"Primary" MCG members are unable to attend, then the Designated Alternate must be
called to respond. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, some or all of the
members may be required to attend the EOC, but all members should be informed of
the emergency situation. Refer to Annex # 1 Notification & Contacts.
If deemed appropriate, MCG members may initiate their own internal notification
procedures of their staff and volunteer organizations. When the threat of an impending
emergency exists, the Municipal Control Group may be placed on "stand-by".
6.0 Requests for Assistance
Assistance from the Province of Ontario may be requested at any time without any loss
of control or authority. The Community Emergency Management Coordinator acts as
the primary municipal contact for Emergency Management Ontario on matters relating
to emergency management and response. The CEMC, or designate, should request
assistance by contacting the PEOC Duty Officer at the Provincial Emergency
Operations Centre in Toronto. Refer to Annex # 1 for contact information.
The Office of the Fire Marshal & Emergency Management may dispatch an EMO Field
Officer to the requesting community or may deploy the Provincial Emergency Response
Team (PERT) to the affected municipality.
If you are unable to contact the PEOC Duty Officer, then the O.P.P. Duty Officer should
be contacted.
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7.0 Declared Municipal Emergencies
The mayor, as Head of Council, is responsible for declaring a state of emergency within
the Township of South Algonquin and this decision is made in consultation with the
members of the Municipal Control Group.
"In the mayor's absence, inability or refusal to act, or if the office is vacant, then the
mayor's "designated alternate" shall assume the powers and duties of the Head of
Council as prescribed in the Township's current Procedural By-Law.
1(a) Acting Head of Council shall mean another designate who shall act as a presiding
officer in the absence of the mayor.
1(cc) a quorum of not less than two members shall be present.
4.7.1 Presiding Officer
The mayor shall preside at all Council and Committee of the Whole meetings. In the
absence of the mayor, or if the office is vacant, the Council may appoint by by-law or
resolution, a Chair from among members present who, during the absence or vacancy,
shall have all the powers of the Head of Council.
Each member of Council is listed as a "designated alternate" to the Head of Council. In
a serious emergency, where several Council members may be unavailable, or
incapable of assuming the role as "Acting Head of Council", this policy allows for
maximum flexibility in choosing a designated alternate for the mayor's position and will
allow for the continuation of government.
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7.O Declared Municipal Emergencies
Upon declaring an emergency, the mayor will fill out and sign the Emergency
Declaration Form and submit it to the PEOC Duty Officer at the Provincial Emergency
Operations Centre. The emergency area(s) should be clearly defined on the form. Refer
to Annex # 1-Notification & Contacts for official templates to be used when declaring,
renewing or terminating an emergency.
Upon declaring, renewing or terminating an emergency declaration, the following groups
will be notified:
- Office of Fire Marshal & Emergency Management (OFMEM)
- Council members
- General Public
- Local member of Provincial Parliament
- Neighbouring communities
- Media
- Other groups, NGO's, Ministries, agencies and organizations, as required.
A declared municipal emergency may be terminated by:
- Premier of Ontario
- Head of Council
- Council (as a whole body)
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8.0 Provincially Declared Emergencies
Section 7.0.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act states
(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Premier, if in the Premier's opinion the
urgency of the situation requires that an order be made immediately, may by order
declare that an emergency exists throughout Ontario or in any part of Ontario.
2006.c. 13, S1 (4).
The criterion for declaring a Provincial emergency is as follows:
3. (1) There is an emergency that requires immediate action to prevent, reduce or
mitigate a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or
substantial damage to property.
3. (2) One of the following exists:
i.
The resources normally available to the government of Ontario or any agency,
branch or commission or other branch of the government, including existing
legislation, cannot be relied upon without the risk of serious delay.
ii.
Resources referred to in paragraph (i) may be insufficiently effective to address
the emergency.
iii.
It is not possible, without the risk of delay, to ascertain whether the resources
referred to in paragraph (i) can be relied upon.
Under Section 7.0.3 (2) of the EMCPA, the Premier has specific municipal powers:
(2) If an order is made under Section 7.0.1 and the emergency area or any part of it is
within the jurisdiction of a municipality, the Premier, where he/she considers it
necessary, may by order under this section,
(a) Direct and control the administration, facilities and equipment of the municipality in
the emergency area, and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the
exercise by the municipality of its powers and duties in the emergency area, whether
under an emergency plan or otherwise, is subject to the direction and control of the
Premier; and
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8.0 Declared Provincial Emergencies
Section 7.0.3 Premier's specific municipal powers
2(b) Require any municipality to provide such assistance as he/she considers
necessary to an emergency area or any part of the emergency area that is not within
the jurisdiction of a municipality and direct and control the provision of such assistance.
2006, c.13, S. 1 (4).
9.0 Provincial Orders & Special Powers
Emergency powers and Provincial Orders are used to promote the public good by
protecting the health, safety, welfare of the people of Ontario in times of declared
emergencies in a manner subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms.
Section 7.0.2 (4) provides the Lieutenant Governor in Council with emergency powers
and the ability to make orders in respect of the following:
1. Implementing any emergency plans formulated under Sections 3, 6, 8 or 8.1.
2. Regulating or prohibiting travel or movement to, from, or within any specified
area.
3. Evacuating individuals and animals, removing personal property from any
specified area and planning for the adequate care and protection of individuals
and property.
4. Establishing facilities for the care, welfare, safety and shelter of individuals
including emergency shelters and hospitals.
5. Closing any place, whether public or private, including any business, office,
school, hospital or other establishment or institution.
6. To prevent, respond to, or alleviate, the effects of the emergency by constructing
works, restoring necessary facilities and appropriating, using, destroying,
removing or disposing of property.
7. Collecting, transporting, storing, processing and disposing of any type of waste.
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9.0 Provincial Orders & Special Powers
8. Using any necessary goods, services and resources within any part of Ontario,
distributing and making available necessary goods, services and resources and
establishing centres for their distribution.
9. Procuring necessary goods and services.
10. Fixing prices for necessary goods, services and resources and prohibit charging
unconscionable prices in respect of necessary goods, services and resources
11. Authorizing, but not requiring, any person, or class of persons, to render services of
a type that the person, or person of that class, is reasonably qualified to provide.
12. Taking other such actions or implementing such other measures as the Lieutenant
Governor in Council considers necessary to prevent, respond to, or to alleviate the
effects of the emergency.
2006, c. 13, S. 1 (4).
Emergency Orders are subject to the following limitations:
- Actions shall be exercised in a manner which, consistent with the objectives of
the order, limits their intrusiveness.
- Orders only apply to the areas of the province where it is necessary.
- Orders will be effective for only as long as is necessary.
Section 7.0.2 (5).
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10. Terminating Provincial Emergencies
An emergency declaration made under Section 7.0.1 will be terminated at the end of
the14th day following its declaration unless the Lieutenant Governor in Council by order
declares it to be terminated at an earlier date.
2006, c. 13 S. 1 (44).
The Lieutenant Governor in Council may by order extend an emergency before it is
terminated for one further period of no more than 14 days.
Under Section 7.0.7 (3) the Assembly, on the recommendation of the Premier, may by
resolution extend the period of an emergency for additional periods of no more than 28
days.
If there is a resolution before the Assembly to extend the period of the emergency, the
declaration of the emergency shall continue until the resolution is voted on.
2006, c. 13 S. 1 (4).
11. Mutual Assistance
Municipalities have the primary responsibility for response in emergency situations
within their communities. They will commit all available resources to save lives and
minimize injury to persons, damage to property and infrastructure.
As appropriate, and through pre-arranged mutual assistance agreements, adjacent
jurisdictions and other agencies aid in emergency response and recovery capabilities if
called upon.
For complete and detailed information on the "response capabilities" of agencies
responding to emergencies within the Township of South Algonquin refer to Annex # 4-
Response Capabilities, as appended to this emergency response plan.
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11. Mutual Assistance:
The municipality currently has in place several mutual assistance agreements with
varying agencies. Refer to Annex # 7 Mutual Aid Information and/or Annex #8 Mutual
Assistance Agreements/ MOU's/MOA's. Agreements include:
✓ Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance (PDA) Agreement
✓ Red Cross Disaster Services/ "Just-In-Time" Shelter Agreement
✓ MNRF / AFFES Fire Protection Agreement (5 year)
✓ Renfrew County Mutual Fire Aid
✓ MNRF Algonquin Park Fire Protection Agreement
✓ Ornge Air Ambulance Helipad Maintenance Agreement
✓ Northern 911 Fire Dispatch & Paging Agreement
✓ Other agreements/ MOU's & MOA's, as deemed necessary.
South Algonquin Township is designated as a "single-tier" municipality, and as such
has no upper-tier government that it is associated with. The District of Nipissing Social
Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) aids the Township of South Algonquin under
Provincial legislation. DNSSAB provides the following assistance:
- Administering the Ontario Works Program
- Providing municipal Social Services and Social Housing
- Children's Services
- Land Ambulance Services
One member of municipal council is appointed to sit on the DNSSAB Board, and this
member acts as the primary contact between the District of Nipissing and the
municipality.
A copy of the DNSSAB Emergency Response Plan is found in Annex # 4 - Response
Capabilities.
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12. Municipal Control Group (MCG)
Section 12(1) of Ontario Regulation 380/04 requires every municipality to have an
emergency control group.
Section 12(2) The emergency control group (MCG) shall be composed of:
a) Such officials or employees of the municipality as may be appointed by council.
b) Such members of council as may be appointed by council.
Section 12((3) Members of the group shall complete the annual training that is required
by the Chief, Emergency Management Ontario.
Section 12(4) The emergency control group shall direct the municipal response in an
emergency, including implementation of the municipality's emergency plan.
Section 12(5) The group shall develop procedures to govern its responsibilities in an
emergency.
Section 12(6) The group shall conduct an annual practice exercise for a simulated
emergency incident in order to evaluate the municipality's emergency response plan
and its own procedures.
Section 12(7) The group shall, if deemed necessary, revise its procedures and shall
make recommendations to the council for the revision of the municipality's emergency
response plan.
Upon receipt of an "emergency alert" notification the Municipal Control Group will
assemble at the appropriate Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The location of the
Primary EOC and Secondary EOC is listed in Annex # 1- Notification & Contacts.
Under extraordinary situations, where it is not possible for the Municipal Control Group
to convene in person (i.e., pandemic), then electronic meetings may be used as
authorized under South Algonquin Bylaw # 20-622. Refer to Annex # 1-MCG Contacts
for a current list of MCG and EM Program Committee members.
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13. Composition of the MCG
The Municipal Control Group may consist of the following primary members:
❖ Head of Council
❖ CAO/Clerk-Treasurer
❖ Deputy Clerk
❖ Community Emergency Management Coordinators
❖ Works Superintendent
❖ SAFD Fire Chief
❖ Municipal Council Representative(s)
❖ O.P.P. representatives
❖ Emergency Medical Services representatives
If primary MCG members are absent/unable to act, then the "designated alternate"
will assume the position. Refer to Annex # 1 MCG Contact List for details.
The MCG may also rely on the following "support & advisory" resources including:
❖ EMO Field Officers/OFMEM representatives
❖ Deputy Treasurer
❖ Administrative Assistants/Accounts Receivable Clerks
❖ Chief Building Official
❖ Municipal Custodian/Building Maintenance Manager
❖ Medical Officer of Health, Renfrew County & District Health Unit
❖ Hospital representatives, St. Francis Memorial Hospital
❖ South Algonquin Family Health Team
❖ Boards of Education representatives
❖ Emergency 9-1-1 agencies and representatives
❖ Utility representatives
❖ Legal services representatives
❖ Human Resources staff
❖ Citizen Inquiry Supervisor
❖ Transportation Manager
❖ Others, as required.
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14. Additional Staff & Resources
Additional resources may be recruited to assist the MCG including:
✓ Provincial Ministries and Ministry Action Groups (MAGs) operating from a
Ministry Emergency Operations Centre(s).
✓ Experts, officials and representatives from both the public and private sectors.
✓ Community Volunteer organizations, as required.
Under Regulation 380/04 all Provincial ministries shall:
- Designate an employee of the ministry as the ministry's emergency management
program coordinator and another employee as an alternate.
- The emergency management program coordinator shall coordinate the ministry's
emergency management program within the ministry and shall report to the
ministry's emergency management program committee.
- Every ministry must have a Ministry Action Group (MAG) which directs the
ministry's response in an emergency, including the implementation of the
ministry's emergency plan.
- The MAG shall establish an emergency operations centre to be used by the
action group in an emergency.
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15. MCG Operating Cycle
The Municipal Control Group will gather at regular intervals (operating cycles) to inform
each other of actions taken and problems encountered during the emergency. The
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer will act as the EOC Manager and will assume responsibility for
scheduling, convening and coordinating the operations cycle with an emphasis on a
timely system of reporting at each formal meeting. In the absence of the CAO/Clerk-
Treasurer then the designated alternate, or another member of the MCG, may assume
the position.
The MCG will meet frequently during the first stages of the emergency and less
frequently during an on-going situation. Each operating cycle should contain the
following six components:
1. Assessment of the situation. What is happening? What is needed?
2. Establish priorities. What can be done in a timely manner?
3. Set objectives.
4. Determine an action plan. Who does what? What tasks are required?
Timeframe?
5. Set timelines for the implementation of assigned tasks.
6. Monitor and reporting. Schedule time & location of next meeting.
Documenting all activities is extremely important. Individual and group logs shall be
kept, and Master Event Logs created.
Should the nature of the emergency (i.e., pandemic) prevent the Council of a
municipality, or the Municipal Control Group, from meeting in person then "electronic
meetings" may be used to facilitate the continuation of government. South Algonquin
By-law # 20-622 establishes rules for the proceedings of Council, the calling of
meetings and the conduct of Members. Schedule C of the By-law, pursuant to Section
238 (3.3) of the Municipal Act, 2001 allows Members of Council, Committees or Local
Boards to participate in meetings/closed meetings electronically.
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16. Responsibilities of the MCG
Members of the MCG are likely to be responsible for the following actions or decisions:
➢ Dispatching and mobilizing emergency service agencies, equipment, resources
➢ Coordinating and directing their service and ensuring that any actions necessary
for the mitigation of the effects of the emergency are taken, provided they are
not contrary to law.
➢ Determining if the location and composition of the MCG is appropriate.
➢ Advising the Mayor as to whether the declaration of an emergency is
recommended.
➢ Advising the Mayor on the need to designate all, or part of, the municipality as
an "emergency area".
➢ Ensuring an Incident Commander is appointed at each emergency site.
➢ Ensuring support to the emergency site(s) by offering equipment, staff and
resources as requested by the Incident Commander
➢ Ordering, coordinating or over-seeing the evacuation and sheltering of
inhabitants considered to be in danger and appointing shelter management staff
as required.
➢ Discontinuing utilities or services provided by public or private concerns and
arranging for their restoration at the appropriate time.
➢ Arranging for services and equipment from local agencies not under municipal
control (private contractors, industry, service clubs, volunteers)
➢ Notifying and requesting assistance from, and/or liaison with, various levels of
government and any public or private agency not under community control
➢ Ensuring that a registration system is established for all staff, volunteers,
evacuees and media organizations involved in an emergency.
➢ Ensuring an accountability system is established to track the location and safety
of all emergency first responders involved in the emergency response.
➢ Authorizing the expenditure of money required for dealing with the emergency.
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17. Additional Duties of the MCG
Additional responsibilities of the MCG may include:
➢ Determining if additional volunteers are required, and if an appeal for volunteers
is warranted.
➢ Determining if additional or specialized transportation is required for the
evacuation of persons, or the movement of supplies.
➢ Ensuring that all pertinent information regarding the emergency is promptly
forwarded to the Emergency Information Officer and Citizen Inquiry Supervisor
for dissemination to the media and public.
➢ Determining the need to establish advisory groups and/or sub-committees and
working groups for any aspect of the emergency, including the recovery phase.
➢ Ensuring the well-being of persons displaced from their homes by arranging for
disaster services including shelter, food, clothing, personal services and
registration & inquiry services. Social Service representatives on the Control
Group are responsible for establishing the Emergency Shelter Services Plan and
initiating operations until the Canadian Red Cross Society responds and
becomes operational under their Disaster Service Agreements
➢ Notifying the service, agency or group under their direction of the termination of
the emergency
➢ Maintaining a log outlining decisions made and actions taken and submitting a
summary of the log to Council following termination of the emergency,
➢ Participating in the de-briefing process following termination of the emergency
➢ Other duties, as assigned.
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18. Individual Responsibilities of the MCG
18.1 MAYOR OR ACTING MAYOR
The Mayor / Acting Mayor are responsible for:
- Providing overall leadership in responding to an emergency
- Declaring, renewing and terminating municipal emergencies
- Notifying Emergency Management Ontario of such declarations/ terminations
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system by contacting the
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and issuing an "emergency alert"
- Ensuring all Council members are advised of the declaration and are kept
informed of the emergency.
- Acting as the Community Spokesperson for the municipality, hosting media press
conferences and performing media-related duties as required
- Approving press releases at his/her discretion, in consultation with the
Emergency Information Officer
- Dealing with any matters arising as part of the emergency and ensuring that the
MCG functions effectively
18.2 CAO/CLERK-TREASURER:
The CAO/Clerk-Treasurer is responsible for the following:
- Performing the duties and exercising the responsibilities of CAO/Clerk-Treasurer
and assuming the duties as EOC Manager.
- As corporate coordinator, facilitate inter-departmental efficiency.
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system and directing essential
MCG members to report to the appropriate EOC.
- Ensuring security arrangements at the EOC and other municipal facilities
- As "EOC Manager" coordinate all operations in the Emergency Operations
Centre including the scheduling of regular meetings (business cycles) and
ensuring all events are properly documented by EOC staff.
- Ensuring communications links are established between the EOC, emergency
site(s) and all other facilities used in emergency response to the incident.
- As a senior member of the Emergency Information Team, assist the Mayor and
Emergency Information Officer in the delivery of emergency information to public
and media.
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18.3 DEPUTY CLERK or Designate
The Deputy Clerk is responsible for the following:
- Providing administrative assistance to Department Heads ensuring all municipal
and legislative policies are met.
- Taking minutes and compiling payroll and accounts receivable and producing
reports for Council and Committees
- Performing the statutory duties and exercising the responsibilities of the Deputy
Clerk as assigned by the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, as outlined in the Deputy Clerk's
job description and the Municipal Act
- Assisting the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer at the Emergency Operations Centre during
an emergency and assuming the duties of EOC Manager in the CAO/Clerk-
Treasurer's absence, or inability to act
- Assisting the CEMC(s) in the implementation of any aspect of the emergency
management program and emergency response plan
- Ensuring the EOC is functional and that all maps, supplies and equipment is
available while coordinating the provision of clerical and administrative staff to
assist in the EOC as necessary.
- Assisting the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and the CEMC's in documenting all important
decisions made and actions taken by the MCG during the emergency.
- Assuming the duties of the Citizen Inquiry Supervisor and initiating the opening,
operation and staffing of all switchboards at municipal facilities as the situation
dictates.
- Ensuring a "Scribe" is present at all MCG meetings and cycles to properly
document the emergency response.
- Maintaining a personal log of actions taken.
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18.4 DEPUTY TREASURER
The Deputy Treasurer is responsible for the following:
- Reporting to the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, the Deputy Treasurer will act as financial
coordinator and will perform all the statutory duties of Treasurer and tax
collector.
- Coordinating the preparation, maintenance and monitoring of all financial,
accounts payable and accounting records and provide support, guidance and
advice to Department Heads, Council and committees on financial matters.
- Assist the Treasurer in all facets of the financial management of the emergency.
- Assist with the financial administration of the Municipal Disaster Recovery
Assistance Program (formerly ODRAP) or other available programs.
- Assisting the MCG in the Emergency Operations Centre, as requested by the
EOC Manager
- Maintaining a personal log of actions taken
- Other duties, as necessary
18.5 PLANNING & BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR/CEMC ALTERNATE:
The Planning & Building Administrator is responsible for the following:
- Reporting to the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, the Planning & Building Administrator will
provide operational support and assistance to the Public Works, Building and
Planning Departments by performing routine secretarial, clerical and receptionist
duties, responding to public inquiries in the absence of the Works
Superintendent and Chief Building Official / By-Law Enforcement Officer.
- Assuming the duties and responsibilities of the Community Emergency
Management Coordinator (CEMC) in the absence, or inability to act, of the
Primary CEMC as appointed by Council. In an emergency, priority should be
given to his/her role as CEMC over other job responsibilities.
- Assisting the Community Emergency Management Coordinator in any aspect of
emergency management as requested
- Maintaining a personal log of actions taken
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18.6 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR (CEMC)
Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and Regulation 380/04
every municipality must appoint a Primary CEMC and may appoint two CEMC
Designated Alternates. The CEMC serves as the primary contact for Emergency
Management Ontario. CEMC's will build professional relationships with various
organizations, whether public or private, or non-governmental organizations. Once
identified CEMC's will be placed on EMO's "CEMC Distribution List".
Reporting to the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, the "primary" Community Emergency
Management Coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining and
verifying the emergency management program with Emergency Management Ontario
(OFMEM). The CEMC reports to the Emergency Management Program Committee.
The CEMC Designated Alternates assist the primary CEMC in program administration
and development and will assume the duties of the primary CEMC in his/her absence,
or inability to act.
CEMC roles and responsibilities may include the following:
- Successfully completing all required training required by OFMEM.
- Maintaining familiarity with current emergency management strategies and
legislation
- Ensuring senior management and elected officials are aware of the latter.
- Identifying municipal program resource requirements, including funding and
assisting in the preparation of an annual emergency management budget
- Forming an Emergency Management Program Committee
- In conjunction with the Committee, conduct an annual Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment
- Ensuring the designation of an appropriate Emergency Operations Centre
- Identifying all the critical infrastructure within the municipality
- Documenting existing municipal response capabilities
- Conducting annual training for MCG and EOC members
- Conducting an annual exercise to evaluate the Municipal Emergency Response
Plan
- Identifying and training individuals to act as Emergency Information Staff.
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18.6 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR (CEMC)
In conjunction with the Emergency Management Program Committee:
- Conducting an annual review of the emergency management program
- Providing expertise and support to the MCG in an emergency
- Maintaining the Municipal Emergency Response Plan and ensuring it is current.
- Liaising with Field Officers and representatives of the Office of the Fire Marshal
and Emergency Management (OFMEM)
- Monitoring the municipality's level of compliance and processing the required
verification documents for submission to OFMEM
Additional CEMC duties may also include the following:
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system by contacting the
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and issuing an "emergency alert"
- Ensuring that security is in place at the EOC and that all MCG members are
registered upon arrival for each operating cycle.
- Ensuring that the operating cycle of the MCG is met, and that related
documentation is maintained for future reference.
- Addressing any action items that may arise from the activation of the emergency
response plan.
- Assisting the Emergency Information staff in the preparation and dissemination
of emergency information to the public and media
- Other duties, as deemed necessary.
The Community Emergency Management Coordinators appointed by the Township of
South Algonquin are not "full-time" CEMCs. Their emergency management duties
comprise a portion of their municipal responsibilities, therefore, when a critical situation
arises, and the emergency management program is engaged then priority must be
given to their emergency management duties over other duties assigned in their
respective municipal job descriptions. This allows for an efficient emergency response
and facilitates compliance with the duties placed on CEMC's by the Emergency
Management and Civil Protection Act and Regulation 380/04.
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18.7 WORKS SUPERINTENDENT - PUBLIC WORKS
The Public Works Department for the Township of South Algonquin provides summer
and winter maintenance activities to 135 kilometres of municipal highways on a year-
round basis.
The Works Department is supervised by the Works Superintendent who reports to the
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer. The Works Superintendent is supported by the Planning &
Building Administrator, Operations Foreman and Public Works Employees and is
responsible for the following:
- Snowplowing, sanding, salting, culvert steaming and other road maintenance
activities.
- Summer grading, dust control, road building activities and maintenance of
bridges, culverts and other critical infrastructure
- Fleet maintenance
- Maintaining municipal facilities, buildings and parks
- Other duties, as assigned.
As a member of the MCG, the Works Superintendent is responsible for the following:
- Responding to municipal emergencies, or critical situations, affecting the
municipality's buildings, roads, property and infrastructure
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system by contacting the
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and issuing an "emergency alert"
- Providing an Incident Commander, depending on the nature of the emergency
- Providing the MCG with information, advice, technical and engineering expertise
relating to public works and roads
- Establishing an on-going communications link between the EOC and the senior
Works official at the emergency site(s)
- Ensuring the construction, maintenance and repair of all municipal highways
- Ensuring the operation of all sanitary, sewage and water systems and municipal
landfill sites as required
- Providing potable water, supplies and sanitation facilities at all municipal
buildings, Reception Centres and Evacuation Centres to the requirements of the
Medical Officer of Health
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18.7 WORKS SUPERINTENDENT
Additional duties of the Works Superintendent may include:
- Arranging for the discontinuation of public works services and/or utilities and
restoring such services when appropriate
- Providing Works Department staff, vehicles and resources as required by any
other emergency service, where possible
- Procuring, providing, operating and maintaining emergency generators as
required
18.8 CEMC/DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
Deputy Fire Chief report directly to the Fire Chief and are responsible for the
coordination and direction of all activities and training of the firefighting units assigned to
them in the Fire Chief's absence.
The CEMC/Deputy Fire Chief is also designated as the Primary Emergency
Management Coordinator for the Township of South Algonquin. Pursuant to Section
18.6 of this Emergency Response Plan and pursuant to the legal requirements of the
Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, and Regulation 380/04, should a
conflict of duty arise between the position of the Deputy Fire Chief and the Community
Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) position, then the CEMC position shall
prevail, and take precedence over, the Deputy Fire Chief position.
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18.9 SOUTH ALGONQUIN FIRE DEPARTMENT - OVERVIEW
The South Algonquin Fire Department (SAFD) is authorized under the authority
of By-law # 2014-452, "Establishing a Fire Department". The Department
consists of two Fire Stations (Whitney & Madawaska) with approximately 30
volunteer members. Legal Authority for the provision of fire protection services
falls under the Fire Prevention & Protection Act and related statutes.
South Algonquin Council has revised the Fire Chief Job Description and has
created a new Part-time Fire Chief position in 2020. The Fire Chief is
responsible for the operation of the department under the general direction of
Council. The Fire Chief reports to the CAO/Clerk Treasurer and supervises two
Deputy Chiefs. The Deputy Chiefs are responsible for all operational and tactical
operations at their respective Fire Stations located in Whitney and Madawaska,
as authorized under By-law # 2020-617.
18.9.1 FIRE CHIEF
The Fire Chief is responsible for:
- Preparing, presenting and administering capital & operating budgets.
- Planning, coordinating and directing firefighting/prevention, rescue and
life and property saving functions.
- Supervising the activities and training programs.
- Ensuring compliance with legislation, codes and by-laws and required
documentation of such.
- Developing and coordinating public education/public relations programs
and activities.
- Reporting to, and taking command of, major incidents and initiating
investigations, as required.
- Liaising with the Office of the Fire Marshal.
- Ensuring the maintenance of all major equipment.
- Ensuring all volunteer firefighters are trained and familiar with the safe
operation of all vehicles and equipment.
- Maintaining all training records.
- Attending conferences, meetings, workshops and seminars.
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- Meeting regularly with the Deputy Chiefs and other Officers to ensure the
goals and procedures of the department are being followed.
- Recommending new volunteer members to Council to maintain volunteer
levels, as established by Council.
- Developing a program to work with residents and business owners to
ensure conformity with the Fire Code.
- Commenting on site plans, re-zonings, subdivision agreements and new
buildings.
- Attending area Fire Chief's meetings and attending council and committee
meetings as required.
As a member of the Municipal Control Group the Fire Chief is also responsible
for the following:
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system by contacting the
CAO/Clerk Treasurer and issuing an "emergency alert".
- Providing an Incident Commander, depending upon the nature of the
emergency.
- Establishing an on-going communications link with the EOC and the
emergency site(s) and at all departmental facilities and command posts.
- Requesting, activating and terminating Mutual Aid.
- Determining if additional or specialized equipment is needed and
recommending sources of supply.
- Aiding other municipal departments or other agencies, where possible.
- Maintaining a log of actions taken.
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18.9.2 SAFD DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
Deputy Fire Chiefs report directly to the Fire Chief and are responsible for the
coordination and direction of all activities and training of the firefighting units assigned
to them. In the Fire Chief's absence, or inability to act, then the Deputy Fire Chief shall
assume the powers and duties of the Fire Chief.
General responsibilities of the Deputy Fire Chief may include:
- Responding to all alarms and assuming command of the incident until relieved
by the Fire Chief
- Ensuring safety by supervising the fire ground and establishing proper
firefighting methods and procedures
- Assisting in determining fire cause and fire investigations
- Overseeing the training of members and ensuring discipline
18.9.3 SAFD CAPTAINS
A Captain is in command of the company or group to which he/she is assigned and is
responsible to the Deputy Chief for the proper operation of that group. Captains will
assign personnel to perform firefighting functions in accordance with proper training
and best practices. Captains will supervise the work of department members to ensure
that it is done safely and according to proper procedures. Captains are responsible for
the inspection of equipment, grounds and station to ensure proper order and shall
report deficiencies to the Deputy Fire Chief.
In circumstances where the CEMC/Deputy Fire Chief is required to perform solely the
position of the CEMC, a Captain may be requested by the Fire Chief take on the
position of the Deputy Fire Chief as required.
18.9.4 FIREFIGHTERS
Members respond to all alarms assigned to their respective fire stations in a timely
manner. Firefighters perform manual duties at emergency incidents, operate vehicles
and equipment and perform rescue, as assigned. All members must complete all
required training. Firefighters are under the direct control of the Captain, Deputy Fire
Chief or the Fire Chief.
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18.10 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Municipal Councillors are the elected officials of the municipality and play an important
role in the emergency management process. Municipal Council may assume the
following responsibilities:
- Advising the Head of Council on emergency declarations /terminations and may
assist in defining specific "emergency areas".
- As members of the Municipal Control Group assuming roles and responsibilities
as designated in the emergency response plan
- As members of "working groups" or "sub-committees" assisting in emergency
response
- Requesting and participating in "special" Council meetings and/or "electronic
meetings" (as authorized under By-law # 2020-622, Procedural By-law) which
may be required in response to a community emergency.
- Liaising with residents and community members, groups and organizations and
keeping them updated on the status of the emergency.
- Providing other assistance as may be necessary.
18.11 CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL / BY-LAW OFFICER
Under Section 3(2) of the Building Code Act, every municipality shall appoint a Chief
Building Official and such inspectors as necessary for the enforcement of the Building
Code Act. Under By-Law # 15- 491 the C.B.O. will review permit applications, issue
permits and conduct inspections. The primary purpose of inspections is the promotion
of public safety through the application of appropriate, uniform standards while
safeguarding buildings where we live, work and play. The By-Law Enforcement Officer
has the responsibility of carrying into effect the provisions of any Act, legislation or
municipal by-law of the Corporation of the Township of South Algonquin.
From an emergency management perspective, natural and man-made disasters
precipitate a broad variety of damage to buildings and structures which may include
partial or complete collapse, and the amount of damage sustained from any particular
incident will be a function of the kind of event experienced, as well as the magnitude,
duration and intensity of the event.
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18.11 CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL / BY-LAW OFFICER
The Chief Building Official may assume the following responsibilities:
- Inspecting and reporting on the condition of buildings and designated structures,
as referenced in the Ontario Building Code, that due to an emergency are safe,
need repair or that require demolition.
- Participating in a needs / damage assessment immediately following an
emergency incident
- Assessing any immediate or potential hazards to public safety and taking
appropriate action to repair, or have demolished, damaged buildings.
- Coordinating or assisting in the barricading of affected sites to ensure safety.
- Documenting fully any sites that are demolished.
As an advisor of the Municipal Control Group the CBO / By-Law Officer is responsible
for:
- Providing expertise and enforcement of Building Code matters that may arise as
part of the emergency.
- Providing enforcement of any Act, legislation, By-Law or other provision arising
as part of an emergency response
- Aiding other municipal departments where possible
- Other duties, as assigned.
18.12 OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (OFMEM)
In 2015, major changes took place within the Ministry of Public Safety and Corrections.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Ontario were consolidated
into a single organization known as the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency
Management (OFMEM). In 2018, EMO has re-instated the Sector system and each
municipality is assigned an EMO Field Officer who assists communities in the
development of their emergency management program. South Algonquin is in the
"Capital Sector" and has been assigned a Field Officer from this sector.
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18.12.1 OFMEM FIELD OFFICERS
OFMEM Field Officers provide front line emergency management advice and
assistance to CEMCs and are available to consult with CEMCs regarding the
implementation, maintenance and confirmation of all aspects of a municipality's
emergency management program. In the event of a major incident, a Field Officer may
be requested to respond to the affected municipality to coordinate the dispatch of
provincial resources and to provide advice and assistance to municipal officials.
18.12.2 PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (PERT)
OFMEM Field Officers may also be deployed to any part of the province as a member
of the Provincial Emergency Response Team (PERT). The team may also include a
Senior Officer, additional Field Officers, Emergency Information Officers, other
provincial ministries and specialists, depending on the type of incident and its severity.
18.12.3 PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE - DUTY OFFICER
A Duty Officer is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the Provincial Emergency
Operations Centre in Toronto. In an urgent situation, the Duty Officer can provide the
CEMC and municipal officials with advice and assistance. It is vitally important that the
Duty Officer receives all requests for provincial assistance. Refer to Annex # 1
Notification & Contacts for details.
All emergency declarations made by the Head of Council should be forwarded
immediately to the Duty Officer at the PEOC. The MCG should also ensure that the
Duty Officer is updated frequently as to the status of the emergency. It is the
responsibility of the PEOC Duty Officer to deploy Field Officers to communities
requesting such assistance.
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18.13 ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES
The Ontario Provincial Police Service provides policing services to the Township of
South Algonquin. The O.P.P. operates from the Killaloe Detachment and the Whitney
satellite office, under the direction of the Detachment Commander. The O.P.P.
Communications Centre in Smith Falls provides communications. A member of the
O.P.P. is selected to sit on the Municipal Control Group and the Emergency
Management Program Committee. In an emergency several Officers may be present,
including Senior Police officials. The O.P.P. is responsible for:
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system by contacting the
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and issuing an "emergency alert"
- Activating the O.P.P. response and notification systems and advising the Staff
Sergeant and the O.P.P. Duty Officer of the emergency
- Establishing an on-going communications link between the EOC and the senior
police official at the emergency site(s) and maintaining communication with all
police command posts and other facilities
- Providing an Incident Commander depending on the nature of the emergency
- Establishing a "command post" at emergency site(s) as required
- Ensuring the provisions of law and order and the protection of life and property
- Ensuring traffic and corridor control on all King's highways, connecting links and
municipal highways under the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act
- Providing additional resources as requested by the MCG.
- Ensuring law enforcement and emergency response on all navigable waters
- Ensuring assistance for the victims of crime
- Ensuring police services at the EOC, Emergency Shelters and other facilities
- Performing investigations, investigating the cause of the emergency and
assessing liability and/or responsibility where applicable
- Assuming a lead role in the implementation of the Municipal Evacuation Plan
- Establishing inner and outer perimeters in the vicinity of the emergency to
facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles and restricting access to all but
essential emergency personnel.
- Providing Scribes, Emergency Information Officers or other specialized staff
- Maintaining a log of actions taken
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18.14 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)
The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is the
designated delivery agent responsible for providing land ambulance services to
Nipissing District. It also administers the supply and use of AEDs as part of the
"PAD Lifeline Project". The District of Nipissing EMS provides pre-hospital care to
the sick and injured in the communities served. These professional health care
services are contracted out to qualified providers that are licensed by the Ministry of
Health.
The District of Nipissing borders Manitoulin/Sudbury, Temiskaming District, Parry
Sound and Renfrew County and has successfully negotiated cross-border
agreements, assuring seamless primary care to all citizens in Nipissing District.
Land ambulance costs are shared 50:50 between municipalities and the province, in
accordance with a funding template.
District of Nipissing Paramedic Service has paramedic stations located in eleven
separate municipalities serving 85,000 people and responding to over 17,000 calls
annually. The catchment area covers 17,000 square kilometres. The service sets
outs standards set out under the Ambulance Act and related legislation. North Bay
General Hospital operates North Bay & District Ambulance under contract with
DNSSAB.
Ambulance dispatching and communications are the responsibility of the Central
Area Communications Centre (CACC) in Renfrew, Ontario. Ontario's Air
Ambulance Program (Ornge) is accessed through the CACC in Renfrew. South
Algonquin maintains an air ambulance helipad in Whitney under the authority of an
agreement with Ornge. The helipad features a "windsock" and "solar night lights"
enabling 24- hour operation. The helipad is located beside the Whitney Medical
Centre.
The closest receiving hospital for medical emergencies to South Algonquin is St.
Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry's Bay. Pembroke General Hospital is the
closest Stroke & Trauma Centre to South Algonquin. The CACC Dispatch Centre
coordinates patient delivery within the entire region. If the Whitney ambulance is
busy, then ambulances from Renfrew County or Hastings County may be
dispatched to our community (if they are the closest available unit) under a
"seamless response system". Refer to Annex # 4- Response Capabilities for
detailed information on each service.
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18.14 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)
EMS representatives on the Municipal Control Group are responsible for:
- Ensuring an adequate EMS response to emergencies within the municipal
catchment area and activating the emergency plans and protocols of the
Nipissing EMS Service, as required
- Ensuring emergency medical services at the emergency site(s) and obtaining
assistance from other EMS / emergency health providers, as needed
- Providing an Incident Commander, depending on the nature of the
emergency
- Establishing an on-going communications link between the EOC and the
emergency site(s) and all other EMS facilities, mobile units and command
posts
- Ensuring the triage of victims at emergency site(s) and engaging the Mass
Casualty Plan, when required
- Ensuring the transportation of all patients from the emergency site(s) to
receiving hospitals as directed by the CACC.
- Obtaining Air Ambulance support via the CACC when appropriate
- maintaining a log of actions taken
18.15 EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES - OVERVIEW
The primary goal of all social service agencies is to:
" ensure the well-being of persons who have been displaced from their homes by an
emergency, by arranging for disaster services which may include Registration &
Inquiry Services, Food, Clothing and Emergency Lodging Services, as well as
providing other necessary Personal Services".
In an emergency the following agencies may provide aid to the municipality:
✓ District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
✓ Canadian Red Cross Society
✓ NGO Alliance of Ontario
✓ Government ministries
✓ Other charities, public or private agencies and organizations, as needed.
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18.15.1 EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES- MUNICIPAL DUTIES
The municipality is responsible for the following:
✓ Designating facilities within the community that are suitable for use as
Emergency Reception Centres and Emergency Evacuation Centres and
where no suitable facilities exist within the municipality, plan with
neighbouring communities for the use of suitable facilities in their
communities.
✓ Maintaining agreements for the use of such facilities
✓ Developing and maintaining agreements with other agencies for the provision
of Emergency Social Services and Disaster Services
18.15.2 DISTRICT OF NIPISSING E.S.S.
DNSSAB is mandated to manage the delivery of social services and assistance,
childcare and social housing within Nipissing District under the authority of the
DNSSAB Act of Ontario, 1998. DNSSAB administers the following programs:
- Ontario Works Program
- Housing Services
- Children's Services
- Land Ambulance Service
DNSSAB may be requested by its member municipalities to assist during
emergency incidents. The Director of Emergency Medical Services is the
Emergency Management Lead for the Board and is the primary contact for member
municipalities. An Emergency Social Services Response Plan may be activated to
assist in emergency response.
18.16 CANADIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY - DISASTER SERVICES
South Algonquin has two signed agreements with the Red Cross for the provision of
Emergency Disaster Services. The Manager for Disaster Services for Eastern
Ontario (located in Ottawa) administers all disaster service agreements. Upon
notification from the Disaster Services Manager, Red Cross volunteers respond to
municipal emergencies per the procedures and protocols established by the
Canadian Red Cross Society.
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18.16 CANADIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
The Personal Disaster Assistance Program (PDA) provides individuals with
emergency assistance for a period of 72 hours following an emergency. This
program is designed to assist up to 20 individuals. Contact numbers are found in
Annex # 1.
A "Just-In-Time" Agreement also exists between South Algonquin and Red Cross
Disaster Services which includes Emergency Lodging, Food, Clothing and Personal
Services. A Registration & Inquiry Service is also included. This agreement is
designed for larger, more complex emergency situations (in excess of 20 persons)
requiring immediate social services. Refer to Annex # 8 - Agreements for detailed
information on Red Cross services and refer to Annex # 21 for details of the
Emergency Shelter Services Plan.
18.17 NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES (NGO's/CHARITIES/NON-PROFITS)
Annex # 4 - Response Capabilities contains information on all local non-
governmental agencies that are prepared to offer help in an emergency. They may
include the following:
✓ 'faith-based" church groups and/or non-profit community organizations
✓ Registered charities
✓ Other reputable public or private entities, as required.
✓ NGO Alliance of Ontario
The NGO Alliance of Ontario was formed in 2017 and the goal is to:
"assist in addressing the humanitarian needs of Ontarians during and recovering
from disasters" and to maintain a reliable, credible and respected Alliance for
members, municipalities, the province and other stakeholders to access and share
information. The Alliance can re-direct calls for assistance to NGO Council
members, and other stakeholders, to aid in times of disaster and emergency.
18.18 PROVINCIAL & FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
Provincial and Federal assistance may be obtained by contacting the Provincial
Emergency Operations Centre. Contact information is found in Annex # 1.
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18.19 EMERGENCY INFORMATION OFFICER: OVERVIEW
Under Regulation 380/04 every municipality shall designate an employee of the
municipality as its Emergency Information Officer and shall act as the primary media
and public contact for a municipality in an emergency. The provision of timely and
accurate information to the public and media is a vital part of effectively managing
major incidents and emergencies. The Community Emergency Management
Coordinator for South Algonquin is appointed as the EIO while the Head of Council
is appointed as Spokesperson. In their absence, or inability to act, then the
designated alternate for these positions will assume the roles.
Emergency Information refers to information about the emergency which is
broadly communicated to the public, news media, partners and other stakeholders.
It is disseminated primarily in anticipation of, during and immediately after an
emergency.
Responsibilities of the E.I.O. may include:
- Consulting with Incident Command, Mayor and CAO/Clerk-Treasurer as to
the need for news briefings and press conferences, granting media
interviews and the status of media monitoring.
- Recommending responses to media misinformation and rumours
- Supervising the content of official statements, announcements and other
forms of emergency information and ensuring the mayor approves all
releases.
- Consulting with the MCG on the status of the emergency and the need for
resources that could be filled by public calls for assistance through media.
- Informing the MCG of any significant information received through the public
inquiry lines.
- Directing the activation of the Emergency Information Plan
- Delegating responsibilities and providing direction to the Emergency
Information Team with respect to the production, distribution and retention of
informational materials and media monitoring
- Responding to inquiries from news media and the public
- Ensuring an on-going communications link is maintained between the EOC
and emergency site(s) and maintaining contact with the Site Information
Officer and ensuring all media centres are staffed and operational.
Refer to Annex # 9 Emergency Information Plan for more details.
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18.20 MUNICIPAL SPOKESPERSON
The mayor is designated as the municipal "Spokesperson" for the Township of
South Algonquin. The Emergency Information Officer and/or the CAO/Clerk-
Treasurer may perform such duties at the mayor's discretion.
Responsibilities of the Spokesperson may include:
- Giving news interviews on behalf of Council and the MCG
- Establishing a communications link and regular contact procedure with EIO
- Other duties, as assigned.
19. Support & Advisory Staff of MCG
The following officials may provide support, advice and logistical support to the
MCG. They can be called upon as the emergency may dictate. These resources
may, or may not, be under municipal control. Where resources are not owned or
controlled by the municipality, the organization will follow its own policies,
procedures and emergency plans. Depending on the nature of the emergency,
these additional resources may be utilized when needed. Refer to Annex # 1
Notification for contact information.
19.1 MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH (RCDHU)
The Renfrew County & District Health Unit, under the direction of the Medical Officer
of Health, provides local health services to South Algonquin Township. Under
provincial legislation the Medical Officer of Health has special powers, duties and
responsibilities relating to public health. As needed, the Health Unit and Medical
Officer of Health can be engaged to assist the MCG and is responsible for:
- Coordinating the response to disease-related emergencies, or anticipated
emergencies, such as outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics according to the
policies and procedures of the Ministry of Health and RCDHU.
- Providing advice on any matter which may adversely affect public health and
providing authoritative instructions on health and safety matters to the public
via the Emergency Information Officer.
- Activating the municipal emergency notification system by contacting the
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and issuing an "emergency alert".
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19.1 MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH (RCDHU)
Additional duties of public health may include:
- Acting as a coordinating link for all emergency health services at the MCG
and ensuring liaison with the Ministry of Health and other health agencies
- Ensuring the emergency plans, procedures and protocols as established by
the Renfrew County & District Health Unit while ensuring the coordination of
care of bed-ridden citizens and invalids, at home and in evacuation centres,
during an emergency.
- Ensuring the coordination of all efforts to prevent and control the spread of
disease.
- Ensuring a liaison with all social service agencies, in areas of mutual
concern, regarding the health conditions and services at all Emergency
Reception and Emergency Evacuation Centres
- Other duties, as required.
19.2 ST. FRANCIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
There are no hospitals, nursing homes or senior citizen care facilities within our
municipality. The closest receiving hospital is St. Francis Memorial Hospital in
Barry's Bay. In an emergency, the hospital will initiate its own policies, procedures
and emergency plans as required. The hospital will work cooperatively with local
emergency medical services and the MCG during critical events. The hospital has
its own helipad and is serviced by Ornge Air Ambulance. Refer to Annex # 4 -
Response Capabilities for detailed information on hospital services.
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19.3 SOUTH ALGONQUIN FAMILY HEALTH TEAM
The Administrator of the South Algonquin Family Health Team is designated as the
primary representative to sit on the Municipal Control Group. The Family Health
Team has been a part of the Northeast Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Patients can establish a continuous relationship with health care providers for
comprehensive family health care close to home. Members include physicians,
nurse-practitioners, nurses and a range of inter-disciplinary health care providers
who are committed to working together to provide health care to a defined
population. The South Algonquin Family Health Team is located at the Whitney
Medical Centre and is responsible for:
- Liaising and assisting the Municipal Control Group during an emergency by
providing expertise and resources, as appropriate.
- Liaising with other health care organizations to improve public access to
comprehensive family health care including health promotion and illness
prevention.
- Assisting in the response to disease-related emergencies including
outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics
- Working cooperatively with local Emergency Medical Services, hospitals and
the Ministry of Health in the delivery of health care within the community
19.4 LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION
There are two separate Boards of Education operating from a single school within
the Township of South Algonquin. St. Martin of Tours Catholic School is owned and
operated by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and
houses the students of St. Martin of Tours Catholic School. Whitney Public School
also operates from the same location under the authority of the Renfrew County &
District School Board.
Local Boards of Education will manage school related emergencies by activating the
Emergency Response Plan and the emergency policies/procedures as developed
by each school Board. Each Board has appointed a representative to sit on the
Municipal Control Group and will act as the primary contact for each student body.
The CEMC is responsible for assisting local schools with their emergency planning,
as requested.
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19.4.1 LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION - RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Education is responsible for:
- Activating emergency first response agencies as required
- Activating the school's emergency response plan and emergency policies
and procedures as needed.
- Notify the Municipal CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and CEMC's of a school
emergency and to request municipal assistance.
- Following instructions/orders issued by the Municipal Control Group as they
pertain to emergencies affecting the community which require immediate
action to ensure public safety.
- Ensuring a current copy of the school Board's emergency plan has been
deposited with the Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the
Township of South Algonquin and that an updated list of emergency contacts
has also been provided to the municipality.
- Providing school facilities, as appropriate, for use as a municipal evacuation
or reception centre, per the Agreement established with the Algonquin &
Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.
Refer to Annex # 17- Local Schools to locate school information and emergency
plans and contact information.
19.5 EMERGENCY 9-1-1 SYSTEM: OVERVIEW
The "Enhanced Emergency 9-1-1" system became operational within the Township
of South Algonquin as of September 30, 2015. Police, Fire and Emergency Medical
Services can be contacted by utilizing the universal 3-digit number 9-1-1.
The municipality is responsible for implementing and maintaining the Civic Address
System and 9-1-1 signage. Bell Canada 9-1-1 Services are responsible for the Bell
telephone network over which the 9-1-1 calls are routed. Emergency 9-1-1 calls are
routed to the selected Community Emergency Reporting Bureau or CERB (may also
be referred to as a "Primary Public Safety Answering Point" or PPSAP). The
municipality has signed an agreement with the O.P.P. (North Bay Communications
Centre) to act as CERB. From the CERB calls are transferred to "Remote Agencies"
(Dispatch & Communications Centres) for each emergency service (Police, Fire,
EMS). Emergency first responders then proceed to the location provided by the 9-1-
1 Call-takers.
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19.5.1 BELL CANADA 9-1-1 SERVICES
Bell 9-1-1 Service works cooperatively with the municipality to develop and maintain
the community's Public Emergency Reporting System (PERS). Bell Canada is
responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of their 9-1-1 equipment and
systems. In the event of a system failure Bell Canada will restore 9-1-1 services on
a "priority basis" and will provide direction and assistance to the affected
municipality. "Next Generation 9-1-1 Services" will be provided by Bell Canada
under By-law # 2022-733.
In Ontario, each area code is serviced by 2 DMS- 100 E9-14 tandem switches
known as "selective routers" which direct 9-1-1 calls to appropriate agencies. This
system is separate from the normal residential and business lines commonly used.
Bell Canada charges a nominal fee on your monthly phone bill to ensure system
maintenance.
19.5.2 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY REPORTING BUREAU: NORTH BAY CERB
South Algonquin has signed a five-year agreement with the O.P.P. for the provision
of CERB services from their North Bay Communications Centre, as authorized
under By-law # 2020-616. The O.P.P. is responsible for the staffing, operation and
maintenance of their facilities and equipment, per the conditions listed in the
contract. Should the North Bay facility be unable to process 9-1-1 calls for any
reason then the Alternate CERB location, as listed in the agreement, will be utilized.
The CERB answers all calls to 9-1-1 and determines which emergency service is
needed and then transfers the caller to the appropriate remote agency. Refer to
Annex # 34 E 9-1-1 System for more information. (CERB may also be referred to as
a "Primary Public Safety Answering Point" or PPSAP).
19.5.3 REMOTE AGENCY CALL CENTRE: O.P.P. POLICE
9-1-1 calls for police assistance are transferred from the CERB to the O.P.P.
Communications Centre in Orillia. This facility is operated by the O.P.P. and is
responsible for all police communications for our area. Calls made to 1-888-310-
1122 will be directed to this location also.
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19.5.4 REMOTE AGENCY CALL CENTRE: SOUTH ALGONQUIN FIRE SERVICE
9-1-1 calls for the South Algonquin Fire Department are transferred from the CERB
to Northern 911 Dispatch Centre in Sudbury, Ontario. The dispatcher will record all
pertinent information from the caller and will dispatch either the Madawaska Fire
Station, or the Whitney Fire Station, based on the nature and location of the
emergency. A new three-year agreement between the municipality and Northern
911 began in July,2023.
19.5.5 REMOTE AGENCY CALL CENTRE: AMBULANCE (CACC)
9-1-1 calls for medical emergencies/land ambulance are transferred from the CERB
to the Central Area Communications Centre in Renfrew. Operated by the Ministry of
Health the CACC provides all communications for area land ambulances and may
request air ambulance service from Ornge. The CACC operates under the policies
and procedures as established by the Ministry of Health who is responsible for the
staffing, maintenance and operation of their facility.
19.6 UTILITIES REPRESENTATIVES
Depending on the nature and severity of the emergency various utilities may be
affected. Refer to Annex # 4 Response Capabilities for contact information. Local
utilities include Hydro One, Bell Canada and local communications/internet
providers.
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19.7 LEGAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES
Legal services may be asked to provide expertise and advice on legal matters
concerning any aspect of an emergency or represent the municipality in legal
actions. Legal action may be taken by the municipality to recover costs resulting
from an emergency:
(12) Where money is expended, or costs incurred by a municipality or the Crown in
the implementation of an emergency plan, or in connection with any emergency, the
municipality or the Crown, has a right of action against any person who caused the
emergency for the recovery of such money".
19.8 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
The Chair of the Human Resources Committee, or a member of the MCG, will
assume the duties of the Human Resources Manager during an emergency. The
Human Resources Manager is responsible for:
- Coordinating and processing requests for human resources
- Coordinating offers of, and appeals for, volunteers in an emergency.
- Selecting appropriate sites for the registration and training of human
resources and arranging for their transportation
- Ensuring that a Volunteer Registration Form is completed by every volunteer
assisting in the emergency for W.S.I.B. purposes and that a copy of the form
is retained for administrative purposes.
- Ensuring an identification system is established and that all volunteers have
been issued I.D. Cards
- Ensuring that an "accountability system" is established to track all
employees, first responders, volunteers and other persons involved in the
emergency.
- Ensuring that all personnel have been issued the appropriate personal
protective equipment for the task at hand, and that individuals have adequate
training to perform their tasks safely.
- Liaising with the Canadian Red Cross Society regarding their Volunteer
Recruitment Program and assigning the Red Cross tasks as outlined in the
"Just-In-Time Agreement". Red Cross shall be responsible for its own staff
and volunteers, who will work in accordance with Red Cross procedures. The
Red Cross is deemed to be their employer for W.S.I.B. purposes
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19.9 CITIZEN INQUIRY SUPERVISOR
The Deputy Clerk, or a member of the MCG, will assume the duties of the Citizen
Inquiry Supervisor and is responsible for:
- Establishing Citizen Inquiry Lines including appointing personnel and the
designation of phone lines
- Responding to and re-directing inquiries and reports from the public based on
the latest information available.
- Responding to and re-directing inquiries pertaining to the investigation of the
emergency, deaths, injuries or matters of personnel involved with, or affected
by the emergency, to appropriate emergency services.
- Responding to, and re-directing inquiries related to persons who may be in
evacuation or reception centres to the Registration and Inquiry phone
numbers.
19.10 TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MANAGER
The Works Superintendent, or a member of the MCG, will assume the duties of the
Transportation Services Manager who is responsible for:
- Acquiring, distributing and scheduling various modes of transportation for the
purposes of moving equipment, supplies or persons
- Ensuring a record is kept of all carriers, operators and drivers and their
payloads.
- Securing specialized transportation for persons who may be bed-ridden,
disabled, or who have special needs and require evacuation or transport.
- Providing advice on transportation issues and recommending supply sources
- Liaising with local school boards to ensure the Boards of Education have
adequate transportation available, should school evacuations become
necessary.
- Maintaining a log of actions taken.
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19.11 TELE-COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
The CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, as EOC Manager, will ensure that adequate tele-
communications are in place and is responsible for:
- Ensuring on-going communications between the Emergency Operations
Centre and all emergency sites
- Ensuring that a "back-up" system of communications is in place should all
primary means of communications fail.
- Ensuring that all municipal facilities, command posts, media centres and
evacuation/reception centres can communicate effectively in an emergency.
- Ensuring that a wide variety of communications systems are available for
municipal use including cellular devices, satellite phones, faxes, vhf radio
systems, internet services.
- Liaising with the Amateur Radio Emergency Services Network (ARES) as
required. EMO's call sign is VA3 EMO. Renfrew County ARES is the closest
responding ham radio service to South Algonquin Township.
19.12 LOCAL BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Local business and industry can supply the municipality with expertise, resources,
equipment and other means of support in an emergency.
Please refer to the Emergency Management Resource Guide in Annex # 20 for
important contacts. The CEMC is responsible for the development and revision of
this guide annually.
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20. Use of Volunteers in Emergencies
Adequate "human resources" are critically important to the success of the response
and recovery phases of an emergency. The municipality as an "employer" is
responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all workers under its control. The
Workplace Safety and Insurance Bureau Act of 1997 is the guiding legal authority
for workplace safety in Ontario. Document # 12-0402, issued January 2,2015 states:
"members of a volunteer fire brigade, volunteer ambulance brigade and auxiliary
members of a police force generally operate under the authority of a municipality.
Members of these forces are workers under the W.S.I.B. Act, 1997".
W.S.I.B. also recognizes worker coverage for the following "special cases":
- An authority who summons a person to assist in controlling or extinguishing a
fire is deemed the person's employer.
- Crown is deemed the employer of a person who assists in search and rescue
operations at the request of, and under the direction of, a member of the
O.P.P.
- Crown is deemed the employer in connection to an emergency declared by
the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Premier
- Municipality is deemed the employer of persons who assist in connection
with an emergency declared to exist by the Head of Council
- MNRF is deemed the employer of a person who assists in connection with a
fire in a designated region.
- The person in the emergencies listed above is deemed a worker of the
relevant employer.
(W.S.I.B. February,2013)
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21. Volunteer Recruitment
The Municipal Control Group, in consultation with Council, will decide if the use of
volunteers in an emergency is appropriate and required. A formal emergency
declaration by the Head of Council should be forwarded to EMO prior to using
volunteers.
The following steps should also be undertaken when deploying volunteers. They
include:
✓ Volunteer Registration: All volunteers will be registered for W.S.I.B. purposes
at an appropriate location and personal information retained for
administrative use.
✓ Security Checks: All volunteers should complete, and pass security
screening as required under municipal guidelines.
✓ Training: Proof of skills & competencies should be documented at the time of
registration. Training will be provided by the municipality, as indicated.
✓ Safety Equipment: Volunteers may supply their own safety equipment
provided it meets all current and applicable safety standards for the assigned
task. The municipality shall provide safety equipment as needed.
✓ Accountability System: An accountability system must be established to track
the status of all emergency personnel, including volunteers.
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22. Emergency Operations
22.1 INCIDENT COMMANDER (1.C.)
"Command" is the act of directing, controlling or ordering by virtue of explicit statutory,
regulatory or delegated authority. The term "Incident Commander" means the function
of Command as exercised in respect to developing and carrying out the Incident Action
Plan" (IAP) for each specific emergency incident, the individual who exercises the
function of "command" is the "Incident Commander" (I.C.). Only one person will exercise
the function of Incident Command at any one time, for a given incident.
The Incident Commander has overall authority and responsibility for conducting all
incident operations. The Incident Commander is responsible for the development of
strategies and tactics to manage the emergency and is responsible for the ordering and
release of all incident resources.
Therefore, while several jurisdictions may respond at the same time to the same
incident, there will be only one Incident Commander. As other staff and/or levels are
activated, they will work in support of the Incident Commander. Command and the
Command General Staff together, are called the "Incident Management Team" (IMT).
The location from which the incident command function is carried out is called the
"Incident Command Post". There are two basic models of incident command that may
be used in response to an incident including "Single Command" and "Unified Command"
structures.
22.2 SINGLE COMMAND
Single Command exists when the decision-making process needed to direct the
response is straightforward and independent. This typically is the case when the
incident is the responsibility of a single jurisdiction or organization. The Single
Command model may be arrived at:
1. By default, when only one jurisdiction/organization is involved.
2. By design, when the multiple jurisdictions/organizations that are involved decide
and agree on a single command.
3. By legislation, if the responsibility is legally that of one jurisdiction/organization.
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22.3 UNIFIED COMMAND
Unified Command structures are used on rare occasions when incident decision-
making is complex and inter-dependent and a single command cannot be established.
Organizations work together through their designated members on the "Unified
Command Team" to establish a common set of objectives and strategies for a single
Incident Action Plan.
The Unified Command Team will agree on one "Spokesperson" to represent it when
necessary. Under the Unified Command Model there is only one Operations Section
Chief appointed by agreement from the organization with the greatest jurisdictional
and/or functional involvement. He/she will implement the Incident Action Plan, as
coordinated by the Planning Section Chief and approved by the Unified Command
Team.
The act of "assuming command" means taking overall responsibility for the managing of
the incident and providing overall leadership for incident response. Having assumed
Command, the Incident Commander should ensure that all response organizations that
are likely to be involved are advised of the incident. Command must be established in
an unmistakeable fashion at the beginning of an incident and be maintained until the
end of an incident.
22.4 ESTABLISHING INCIDENT COMMAND
Incident Command should be established at the level, and in the manner that will allow
it to be effective and efficient. Where incidents are site-specific, or geographically
designed, the first emergency responder present at the emergency site will assume the
function of Incident Commander. In scenarios where the incident is not site-specific, the
highest level of jurisdiction in which the incident is occurring, may need to assume
Incident Command.
Rank, grade and seniority are not the only factors used to determine who exercises the
function of Command. Qualifications and experience with the specific type of incident
that is occurring, are key factors in determining who assumes the Command function.
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22.5 RESPONSIBILITY FOR ESTABLISHING INCIDENT COMMAND
Depending upon the nature and location of the emergency, the responsibility for
establishing incident command is not restricted to any single organization or jurisdiction.
Any of the jurisdictions listed below, having the requisite capabilities may establish
incident command. They include:
o Responding organizations
o Municipal governments
o First Nations governments
o Provincial government agencies
o Federal government agencies
A response agency that is the first unit to arrive at an incident shall establish Incident
Command and maintain it until Command is assumed by a more appropriate authority.
The Municipal Control Group will ensure that incident command is in place and that the
most appropriate individual is designated as Incident Commander for each emergency
site for municipal emergencies.
Provincial government ministries/agencies may be responsible for establishing incident
command, depending on the nature of the emergency. Every Ministry is required to
establish a Ministry Action Group (MAG) that may operate from a Ministry Emergency
Operations Centre to manage the Ministry's response to an incident. During specific
incidents the MAG may assume the command function, depending upon incident
requirements or Provincial directives. At this point the Ministry EOC could either
become the Incident Command Post, or a separate ICP would be established.
22.6 PROVINCIAL/FEDERAL INCIDENT COMMAND
The Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act allows the Commissioner of
Emergency Management, Chief Medical Officer of Health, a Minister, the Premier, or
the Lieutenant Governor in Council to exercise command functions in certain situations.
There may be cases in declared emergencies where the Ontario government may
determine that it is more effective for incident command to be established at the
Provincial level (i.e. nuclear emergency). The Federal government is responsible for
responding to and commanding incidents of international conflict and war.
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22.7 INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INCIDENT COMMANDER
Individual responsibilities of the Incident Commander may include:
- Assessing the incident and determining the goals, strategies, objectives and
priorities appropriate to the level of response
- Establishing appropriate command structures using the Incident Management
System (IMS)
- Coordinating overall incident activities and coordinating the activities of other
levels of response
- Establishing an operational planning cycle on site
- Developing and approving Incident Action Plans and managing all incident
resources.
- Authorizing the release of emergency information to the public in coordination
with other levels of response (Site EIO to EIO @ MCG to media/public)
- Ordering incident de-mobilization and termination of the emergency
22.8 INCIDENT ACTION PLANS (IAP's)
Incident Commanders assist in the development, approval and implementation of
Incident Action Plans. Each plan will cover one "operational period", but not longer than
24 hours. The IAP may be verbal, or in written form and contain the following:
✓ Statement of Objectives
✓ Clear strategic direction
✓ Tactics to be employed
✓ List of resources employed
✓ Organizational structure or chart
✓ Safety guidelines
Command Staff may include a Safety Officer, Emergency Information Officer and a
Liaison Officer. The Command Staff reports to and assists the Incident Commander.
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22.9 SAFETY OFFICER
The Safety Officer reports directly to the Incident Commander and monitors safety
conditions on-site and develops appropriate safety measures. While each person who is
assigned a leadership role is responsible for the safety of personnel working under their
leadership, the Safety Officer is tasked with creating systems and procedures related to
the "overall" health and safety of all incident responders. The Occupational Health and
Safety Act takes precedence over the Emergency Management Act therefore, the
Safety Officer is bound to inform the Incident Commander of all safety issues arising as
part of the response to the emergency. It is the duty of the Incident Commander to
employ tactics to reduce or eliminate occupational hazards and exposures.
22.10 TRANSFERRING INCIDENT COMMAND
Although there is only one Incident Commander per incident, the function may transfer
from one person/team to another or from one level to another. The transfer of Incident
Command should be documented. This transfer may be triggered by:
o An expansion or evolution of the incident beyond the authority of the in-place
person/team/level
o A contraction of the incident to within capabilities of another person/team or level
o On direction
A full briefing is required for all in-coming Incident Command Staff. Notification to all
personnel is also required to establish that a change in command is taking place.
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22.11 TERMINATING INCIDENT COMMAND
Command must remain in place until the incident is completely de-mobilized. Command
should always be terminated by providing the necessary briefings and de-briefings. All
reports should be completed, and the de-mobilization of all resources should be
completed and verified.
The Incident Commander should report the termination of the emergency to:
- Head of Council
- Municipal Control Group
- All responding agencies and organizations
22.12 EOC's and INCIDENT COMMAND
Incident Command reports to the authority that appointed it. In municipally declared
emergencies the Municipal Control Group is that authority. Incident support is
dependent on having a facility with capabilities that enable senior officials to monitor the
emergency and to communicate with Command. This is coordinated through an
Emergency Operations Centre. There will still only be one Incident Commander per
incident, however, large scale emergencies with multiple emergency sites may dictate
the need for multiple Incident Commanders. All Incident Commanders may receive
assistance from one or more EOCs as needed.
"Area Command" is an expansion of the incident command function, primarily designed
to manage multiple incidents and multiple Incident Management Teams. It can be
established whenever incidents are so close that oversight direction is required to avoid
conflicts. Area Command's functions are to develop broad objectives for the impacted
area and coordinate the development of individual incident objectives and set priorities
for the use of critical resources allocated to the incidents assigned to that area.
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23. Tele-Communications Plan
It is imperative that communications links are established and remain operational
throughout the incident. The EOC must be able to communicate with all emergency
sites, municipal operations and all response organizations involved. The CAO/Clerk-
Treasurer, as EOC Manager, is responsible for establishing the Tele-Communications
Plan and ensuring that a primary communications network is operational, and for
providing a secondary method of communications should the primary system
experience failure. If all communications fail, then messages will be delivered by the use
of "runners" (individuals who will hand-deliver communications).
24. Emergency Information Plan
Upon implementation of the Municipal Emergency Response Plan, it will become
necessary to coordinate the release of accurate information to the public and media
regarding the emergency. The MCG may have to issue specific instructions to the public
to ensure public safety including the following:
✓ Issuing specific watches, warnings, bulletins, orders, or specific instructions to
follow in threatening situations.
✓ Ordering persons to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
✓ Warning of imminent danger, yet to occur (i.e., tornado warnings)
✓ Issuing boil water advisories, air quality advisories and health safety messages
✓ Other instructions, as critical situations demand
It will also be necessary to respond to, or re-direct, individual requests for information
concerning the emergency, hold press conferences and liaise with the media and public
via the Emergency Information Plan. Refer to Annex # 9 for details.
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24.1 EMERGENCY INFORMATION CENTRES & STAFF
The Emergency Information Centre is located in the Emergency Operations Centre but
separate from the Municipal Control Group. It is staffed by the Emergency Information
Officer (EIO) who is specially trained in media relations. Emergency information staff
members report to the EIO and assist him/her in the delivery of emergency information.
Emergency Information Staff may include:
1. Incident Commander:
The I.C., at the emergency site, is responsible for providing information in the early
stages of an incident. All information from the site must be verified by I.C. before
its release. Once the Site Information Officer (SIO) is on-scene, then the SIO
assumes the duties of forwarding information from the scene.
2. Site Information Officer:
The SIO gathers, verifies and forwards accurate emergency information from the
scene. Each emergency site may have its own Site Information Officer who reports
to the Emergency Information Officer at the EOC.
3. Citizen Inquiry Supervisor:
The CIS responds to, and re-directs, inquiries from the public/media concerning
individuals who have been affected by the emergency. The CIS supervises staff
operating the switchboards and will develop public information and inquiry lines.
The CIS forwards all such inquiries to the Emergency Information Officer for
processing.
Major emergencies attract a large degree of media attention and a "media centre" may
have to be established by the MCG. Radio, television and print mediums have different
technical requirements and work to different broadcast deadlines, so it is important that
media centres be established as soon as the need for media management becomes
apparent. The Municipal website www.southalgonquin.ca and Facebook page will be
used to convey information to the public via the internet. The Municipal Emergency
Response Plan (and other emergency management information) is found under the
"Emergency Services" section.
❖ Go to www.southalgonquin.ca . Click on Departments.
❖ Click on Fire & Emergency Services.
❖ Scroll down to Documents at the bottom of the page.
❖ Click on desired documents to view information.
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24.2 MEDIA CENTRES
Media Centres should be capable of hosting formal press conferences and providing
reporters with workstations and access to communications. Due to the influx of media
at the emergency site, it may also become necessary to establish a Media Centre
adjacent to the emergency site itself. This area, if established, will be authorized by
the Incident Commander and will be staffed by the Site Information Officer. The SIO
is responsible for the coordination and registration of all media at the emergency site,
including arranging interviews with first responders and for arranging the media to
have access to the emergency site, as approved by Incident Command.
As previously mentioned, the mayor will act as Municipal Spokesperson when dealing
with the media. The mayor will approve press reports prior to their release. As a senior
member of the Emergency Information Team, the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer may also
assist the mayor with "corporate communications" and the delivery of emergency
information, as appropriate.
24.3 SPOKESPERSONS FROM OUTSIDE AGENCIES
In complex emergencies several groups may release statements to the media and
public. Releases often fall outside of municipal control and other agencies may hold
their own press conferences. Where multiple jurisdictions are involved, it is
recommended the municipality establish a Joint Information Centre (JIC). This Centre
provides a single location for the dissemination of emergency information to the public.
Joint press conferences allow for multiple jurisdictions to provide information to the
public in a consistent and controlled atmosphere.
The Emergency Information Officer would coordinate such activities and is
responsible for monitoring all media reports and correcting any erroneous reports
immediately.
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25. Distribution List
The Municipal Emergency Response Plan is a generic, framework document which
outlines the specific duties and responsibilities of municipal officials in an emergency.
It outlines the necessary coordinated efforts to be taken to mitigate any type of
community emergency. Copies of the emergency plan may be distributed to the
following:
✓ General public, media, industry and business
✓ Emergency response organizations and social service agencies
✓ Municipal government officials
✓ Provincial government officials
✓ Local stakeholders, program partners, community groups and volunteer
agencies
✓ Non-governments agencies (NGO's), faith-based groups
✓ Neighbouring communities
✓ Others, as requested.
According to guidelines issued by Emergency Management Ontario, copies of the plan
should be numbered (for administrative purposes only) prior to distribution. An
electronic copy of the Municipal Emergency Response Plan can be viewed at any time
on South Algonquin's municipal website at www.southalgonquin.ca . A copy of the
plan is also available for viewing at the Municipal Office, 7 Third Avenue, Whitney,
Ontario during normal business hours.
The Community Emergency Management Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that
a distribution list is maintained and reviewed annually and that all relevant agencies
receive a copy of the plan.
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26. Program Review
The Community Emergency Management Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that
an annual review of the Municipal Emergency Response Plan is completed and that
the Emergency Management Program Committee for the Township of South
Algonquin conducts an annual program review and submits recommendations for
program improvement, as required.
All Ontario municipal emergency management programs are subject to approval from
the Office of the Fire Marshal & Emergency Management (OFMEM). Each
municipality shall forward a completed program verification package to OFMEM prior
to December 31st of each calendar year. Program verification forms must be signed
off by the CEMC and the Head of Council.
27. Public Consultation
Public participation in the emergency management process is vital to its success.
Volunteer opportunities are presently available on the Emergency Management
Program Committee. Please contact the municipal office for more information.
For more information on the Emergency Management Program for the Township of
South Algonquin, please direct all inquiries to:
Community Emergency Management Coordinator
Township of South Algonquin
P.O. Box 217, 7 Third Avenue
Whitney, Ontario.
K0J 2M0
613 - 637- 2650
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28. Annexes & Supporting Plans
Risk-specific emergency plans, supporting documents and operating guidelines to the
Municipal Emergency Response Plan are contained in Annexes. These Annexes are
confidential and not for public view due to their sensitive nature and informational
content. This supporting material may be used to assist in the mitigation of any
emergency as needed. The Municipal Emergency Response Plan, and its supporting
Annexes, are maintained by the CEMC and are in the EMO storage cabinet at the
CEMC office at the Madawaska Works Depot # 24808 Highway 60. Annexes include
the following:
Annex 1 EM Contacts / MCG / EM Program Committee Contacts
Annex 2 Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
Annex 3 Critical Infra-structure Identification
Annex 4 Emergency Response Capabilities
Annex 5 Tabletop Exercise and Gap Analysis / Annual Program Review
Annex 6 Municipal By-Laws
Annex 7 Mutual-aid Information
Annex 8 Mutual Assistance Agreements/MOU's/MOA's
Annex 9 Emergency Information Plan
Annex 10 Public Education & Awareness Campaigns/ EP Week
Annex 11 Community Safety & Well Being Plan
Annex 12 Municipal Evacuation Guidelines
Annex 13 Emergency Operations Centres (EOC's)
Annex 14 Recovery Plans & Disaster Financial Assistance Programs
Annex 15 Communication Systems / Information
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28. Annexes & Supporting Plans
Annex 16 Training Program
Annex 17 Boards of Education / School Emergency Plans
Annex 18 EMO Program Verification Requirements
Annex 19 Emergency Planning for Seniors/Persons with Disabilities
Annex 20 Municipal Emergency Management Resource Guide
Annex 21 Emergency Shelter Services Program / Red Cross J.I.T. Agreement
Annex 22 Pandemic & Influenza Planning
Annex 23 Human Health Emergencies
Annex 24 Provincial Emergency Response Plans
Annex 25 Dam Failure & Flood Emergency Plans & Information
Annex 26 Mass Casualty Response Guide
Annex 27 Highway Emergencies, Plans & Information
Annex 28 Power Outage Plans
Annex 29 Wild-fire Response Information
Annex 30 Hazardous Materials Response (HAZMAT)
Annex 31 Severe Weather Emergencies & Climate Change
Annex 32 Municipal Animal Care Emergency Plan
Annex 33 Health & Safety / W.S.I.B. / Fire Safety Plans
Annex 34 Enhanced Emergency 9-1-1 System Information
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