BEING A BY-LAW TO ADOPT AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN AND TO MEET OTHER REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL PROTECTION ACT
WHEREAS under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.9 (the “Act”), as amended, and Ontario Regulation 380/04 (the “Reg”), as amended, every municipality in the Province of Ontario is required to:
Develop and implement an emergency management program, which shall consist of:
An Emergency Response Plan;
Training programs and exercises for employees of the municipality and other persons with respect to the provision of necessary services and the procedures to be followed in emergency response and recovery activities;
Public education on risks to public safety and on public preparedness for emergencies; and
Any other element required by the standards for emergency management programs set under the Act or by Emergency Management Ontario;
Designate an employee of the municipality or a member of the council as its Community Emergency Management Program Coordinator (CEMC);
Establish an Emergency Management Program Committee;
Establish a Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG);
Establish an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to be used by the Municipal Emergency Control Group in an emergency; and
Designate an employee of the municipality as its Emergency Information Officer (EIO);
AND WHEREAS it is prudent that the emergency management program developed under the Act be in accordance with international best practices, including the five core components of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery;
AND WHEREAS the purpose of such a program is to help protect public safety, public health, the environment, critical infrastructure, and property during an emergency and to promote economic stability and a disaster resilient community;
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PETAWAWA ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
Emergency Management Program
An Emergency Management Program for the municipality will be developed and reviewed annually by the Emergency Management Program Committee consistent with and in accordance with the Act and Reg and international best practices, including the five components of emergency management, namely: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. And such program shall include: a. Training programs and exercises for employees of the municipality and other persons with respect to the provision of necessary services and the procedures to be followed in emergency response and recovery activities; b. Public education on risks to public safety and on public preparedness for emergencies; and c. Any other elements required by the standards for emergency management set under the Act or by Emergency Management Ontario.
The Emergency Management Program shall be consistent with the objects of protecting public safety, public health, the environment, critical infrastructure and property, and to promote economic stability and a disaster-resilient community.
Emergency Response Plan
The Emergency Response Plan, which has been developed in accordance with the requirements of the Act and Reg and international best practices, and which is attached hereto as Appendix “A” is hereby adopted (the “Plan”).
The Plan shall be reviewed annually by the CEMC and the Town’s Emergency Management Program Committee. The CEMC is authorized to make such administrative changes to the Plan as appropriate to keep the Plan current, such as personnel, organizational and contact information updates. Any significant revision to the body of the Plan shall be presented to Council for approval.
When an emergency exists but has not yet been declared to exist, Town employees and the Municipal Emergency Control Group may take such action under the Plan as may be required to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Town.
Community Emergency Management Coordinator
The Director of Planning and Development is hereby appointed as the primary community emergency management coordinator (the “CEMC”) responsible for the emergency management program for the Town including maintenance of the Plan, training, exercises, public education and such other duties and responsibilities as outlined in the Act and Reg.
The Deputy Clerk and Director of Public Works are hereby appointed as alternate CEMC’s to act in place of the primary CEMC in his/her absence.
Emergency Management Program Committee
The person from time to time holding the following positions in the municipality, or their designates, shall be members of the Emergency Management Program Committee: a. Chief Administrative Officer; b. CEMC and Alternate CEMC’s; c. Director of Public Works; d. Director of Community Services; e. Treasurer; f. Fire Chief; g. Deputy Clerk; h. Executive Assistant; and i. Mayor or Deputy Mayor.
The CEMC is hereby appointed as chair of the Emergency Management Program Committee.
The Emergency Management Program Committee shall meet a minimum of twice annually and shall advise Council on the development and implementation of the municipality’s Emergency Management Program and shall review the Program annually.
Municipal Emergency Control Group
The persons from time to time holding the following positions in the municipality or their designates, shall be members of the Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG): a. Head of Council – Mayor; b. Emergency Operations Centre Director – Chief Administrative Officer; c. Emergency Information Officer – Executive Assistant; d. Liaison Officer – Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Deputy Clerk; e. Operations Section Chief- Fire Chief, Director Public Works, OPP Representative; f. Planning Section Chief – Director of Planning and Development; g. Logistics Section Chief- Director of Community Services; and h. Finance and Administration Section Chief – Treasurer.
Emergency Operations Centre
A primary and an alternate Emergency Operations Centre have been established for use by the MECG in an emergency and with the appropriate technological and telecommunications systems to ensure effective communication in an emergency. The locations of the Emergency Operations Centre(s) are identified in the Plan.
Emergency Information Officer
The Town’s Executive Assistant is hereby appointed as the Emergency Information Officer for the municipality to act as the primary media and public contact for the municipality in an emergency. The Town’s Economic Development Officer will be appointed to act as the alternate Emergency Information Officer.
Administration
The Plan shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at Town Hall, 1111 Victoria Street during regular business hours.
The Plan, or any amendments to the Plan, shall be submitted to the Chief, Emergency Management Ontario identified in the Act.
That Appendix “A” is deemed to form part of this by-law.
That By-law 396/07 be hereby repealed.
That this by-law shall come into force and take effect following third reading.
By-law read a first and second time this 16th day of December, 2019.
By-law read a third time and passed this 16th day of December, 2019.
(Signatures)
Mayor
Deputy Clerk
Introduction & Authority
Purpose: To coordinate response to major emergencies affecting the health, safety, and property of Petawawa residents .
Authority: Enables the Head of Council to declare an emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act .
Emergency Notification
Triggers: Warning of a real or potential emergency activates notification of the Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG) .
Declaration: The Mayor (or designate) formally declares an emergency and notifies key provincial and local officials .
Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG)
Structure: Operates under the Incident Management System (IMS) structure with five functions: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration .
Key Roles:
EOC Director (CAO): Manages overall coordination and priorities .
Liaison Officer (CEMC): Coordinates with outside agencies and ensures EOC resources are available .
Operations Section Chief: Directs tactical response (Fire, Public Works, etc.).
Emergency Information Officer: Manages public and media communications .
Emergency Response Operations
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC): Activated to support site operations. The EOC Director leads the MECG in resource allocation and strategic decision-making .
Emergency Site Manager (ESM): The senior representative of the lead agency at the scene commands site operations .
External Agencies: Roles are defined for OPP (law enforcement/evacuation), Paramedics (triage/medical), and the Health Unit (public health advisories) .
Preparedness & Recovery
Training: Annual exercises and training are mandatory for the MECG .
Public Education: Focuses on personal preparedness (72-hour kits) .
Recovery: The plan outlines procedures for returning to normalcy, debriefing (After Action Reports), and applying for provincial disaster recovery funding .
Appendices (Confidential)
Includes contact lists, forms, EOC logistics, checklists, and critical infrastructure data (not for public distribution) .
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