Emergency Management

1. Emergency Management From Ice Storms to Blackouts, from Floods to Fire Bombings

2. Emergency Management Disasters in Canada Canadian Emergency Management Framework Emergency Preparedness Reading List Good afternoon and welcome to Alberta if you are a visitor. I would like to take a moment, on behalf of Marion and myself, to thank you for the opportunity to share some emergency management information with you. Unfortunately, Marion is unable to be here today as she is currently involved in the deliver of a Disaster Recovery Program in the southern part of the province. I have her presentation and will attempt to get through as best as I can. One of the issues that Marion wanted to make clear was that this session will not provide the all encompassing disaster planning program. Instead it is hoped that in the next 1 ½ hours we will be able to heighten your interest in emergency management, and have you leave here keen to get back to work so you can review the disaster plan for your organization. Good afternoon and welcome to Alberta if you are a visitor. I would like to take a moment, on behalf of Marion and myself, to thank you for the opportunity to share some emergency management information with you. Unfortunately, Marion is unable to be here today as she is currently involved in the deliver of a Disaster Recovery Program in the southern part of the province. I have her presentation and will attempt to get through as best as I can. One of the issues that Marion wanted to make clear was that this session will not provide the all encompassing disaster planning program. Instead it is hoped that in the next 1 ½ hours we will be able to heighten your interest in emergency management, and have you leave here keen to get back to work so you can review the disaster plan for your organization.

3. Canada has experienced a number of disasters over the past century. In 1903 a portion of the Turtle Mountain here in Alberta crashed down on a town site and killing most of the residents. There have been 4 major tornadoes causing large numbers of fatalities, injuries and extensive property damage in Canada – Regina in the early 1900s; Barrie, Ontario in 1985; Edmonton and area, Alberta 1987 and the Pine Lake area of Alberta in 2000. We saw the Saguenay flooding in Quebec in 1996, the Flood of the Century in 1997 when the Red River in Manitoba overflowed its banks, and the past couple of weeks have seen major flooding over most of southern Alberta including parts of the City of Calgary. 1998 was the year of the Eastern Canada ice storm with over 3 million people without power and other utilities during January and February. That was followed by a major power outage in 2000 and then the Maritimes got hit by a hurricane in 2003. We have seen massive forest fires in many areas of Canada burning down our beautiful forests and threatening, and in some cases, burning homes, business and farms. 1918 was the year of Canada’s worst pandemic when influenza killed thousands. 2003 brought SARS to the Toronto and Vancouver areas. Along with all this are all the other ongoing major emergency events such as structural fires, transportation accidents, dangerous goods incidents, localized flooding, windstorms, disease outbreaks, etc. which impact all our communitiesCanada has experienced a number of disasters over the past century. In 1903 a portion of the Turtle Mountain here in Alberta crashed down on a town site and killing most of the residents. There have been 4 major tornadoes causing large numbers of fatalities, injuries and extensive property damage in Canada – Regina in the early 1900s; Barrie, Ontario in 1985; Edmonton and area, Alberta 1987 and the Pine Lake area of Alberta in 2000. We saw the Saguenay flooding in Quebec in 1996, the Flood of the Century in 1997 when the Red River in Manitoba overflowed its banks, and the past couple of weeks have seen major flooding over most of southern Alberta including parts of the City of Calgary. 1998 was the year of the Eastern Canada ice storm with over 3 million people without power and other utilities during January and February. That was followed by a major power outage in 2000 and then the Maritimes got hit by a hurricane in 2003. We have seen massive forest fires in many areas of Canada burning down our beautiful forests and threatening, and in some cases, burning homes, business and farms. 1918 was the year of Canada’s worst pandemic when influenza killed thousands. 2003 brought SARS to the Toronto and Vancouver areas. Along with all this are all the other ongoing major emergency events such as structural fires, transportation accidents, dangerous goods incidents, localized flooding, windstorms, disease outbreaks, etc. which impact all our communities

4. Note: Slide will come up with the disasters showing. Will need to click once to get the top half of inner circle to show and then a second click to get the bottom half of the inner circle to show. Disasters are local events that impact the the community and its residents causing death, injury and damage to property and the environment. Community services are disrupted and the effects on the family can be significant. The financial impact is felt across the community. Libraries are among the many community services that are vulnerable to disasters. Note: Slide will come up with the disasters showing. Will need to click once to get the top half of inner circle to show and then a second click to get the bottom half of the inner circle to show. Disasters are local events that impact the the community and its residents causing death, injury and damage to property and the environment. Community services are disrupted and the effects on the family can be significant. The financial impact is felt across the community. Libraries are among the many community services that are vulnerable to disasters.

5. Emergency Management in Canada Canada has a well established and effective emergency management framework. It starts with you and I ensuring that we have a personal and family emergency preparedness plan. Sometimes when a disaster happens, emergency services are unable to reach victims who can be left stranded for several days. Ask yourself - Do I have a supply of water and food for when the power goes out or we can’t travel to the grocery store? A supply of essential medications? And what is the plan when a disaster strikes and we can’t get to the daycare or the school to pick up our children? All our provincial and territorial governments have excellent materials to help us put toghether a family disaster plan and kit. Click - Municipalities provide help during disasters and are supported by the (click) province or territory, and in turn are supported by the (click) federal government. Let’s look at the framework in more detail.Canada has a well established and effective emergency management framework. It starts with you and I ensuring that we have a personal and family emergency preparedness plan. Sometimes when a disaster happens, emergency services are unable to reach victims who can be left stranded for several days. Ask yourself - Do I have a supply of water and food for when the power goes out or we can’t travel to the grocery store? A supply of essential medications? And what is the plan when a disaster strikes and we can’t get to the daycare or the school to pick up our children? All our provincial and territorial governments have excellent materials to help us put toghether a family disaster plan and kit. Click - Municipalities provide help during disasters and are supported by the (click) province or territory, and in turn are supported by the (click) federal government. Let’s look at the framework in more detail.

6. Municipal Govt.  Legislative requirements vary across Canada Municipal plans and programs in place Conduct exercises to test plans Other disaster plans, e.g., health services, social services, schools, institutions, industry and business plans should be integrated with the municipal plan May declare a ‘State of Local Emergency’ to provide them the extraordinary powers necessary to save lives and protect property This slide requires 5 clicks to get all the bullet points to show.This slide requires 5 clicks to get all the bullet points to show.

7. Provincial/Territorial Govt.Emergency Measures Organizations Provincial/territorial government disaster plans programs and plans Support municipal governments during disasters Coordinate provincial/territorial government resources when needed. Can declare a ‘Provincial/Territorial State of Emergency’ Provide training for municipal emergency officials This slide requires 5 clicks to get all the bullet points to show.This slide requires 5 clicks to get all the bullet points to show.

8. Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada The Emergencies Act The Emergency Preparedness Act National Plans National Training Program Research Program Critical Infrastructure Program Other Federal Departments – Health Canada, Transport Canada, Environment Canada This slide requires seven clicks to get all the bullets up on the screen.This slide requires seven clicks to get all the bullets up on the screen.

10. Emergency Preparedness Clear concise disaster plans that are known and understood Test plan with regular exercises Integrate with municipal plan Training and education

11. Reading Auf der Heide Drabek Dynes Quarantelli Scanlon

12. ‘Emergency preparedness is the most effective means of attenuating the impact of a disaster’