Emergency Preparedness and Management in Ontario

Emergency Management Activity

Framework for managing emergencies through prevention, preparedness, response, recovery.

Prevention/Mitigation

Planning to reduce vulnerabilities before emergencies occur.

Preparedness

Developing plans to ensure readiness for emergencies.

Response

Implementing measures during an emergency situation.

Recovery

Administering relief and recovery post-emergency.

Incident Management System (IMS)

Standardized approach for managing emergency incidents.

IMS Objectives

Ensure safety, minimize impact, and control incidents effectively.

WHO Emergency Preparedness

Complex processes for effective emergency readiness.

Community Participation

Local involvement is crucial for effective emergency preparedness.

National Responsibility

Governments must safeguard community health and wellbeing.

Operational Readiness

High readiness ensures timely and efficient emergency response.

Health Systems Resilience

Strengthening health systems for known and emergent hazards.

Emergency Risk Management

Strategies to enhance resilience against emergencies.

One Health

Link between human health, animal health, and environment.

Hazard Identification

Process of recognizing potential emergency threats.

Risk Assessment

Evaluating risks to prioritize emergency preparedness actions.

Wildfires

Uncontrolled fires in forests or grasslands posing threats.

Tornadoes

Violently rotating columns of air in contact with ground.

Hurricanes

Severe tropical storms with high winds and rain.

Emergency Preparedness Levels

Preparedness must be implemented at all societal levels.

Strategic Approaches

Planned methods to enhance emergency preparedness effectiveness.

Emergency Preparedness Framework

Guidelines for structuring emergency management activities.

Governance

National policies integrating emergency preparedness and response.

Capacities

Assessments determining priorities for emergency preparedness.

Resources

Financial and logistical support for emergency preparedness.

Resilience Framework

11 components promoting public health emergency resilience.

Emergency Response Plans

Plans coordinating provincial emergency responses in Ontario.

Nuclear Emergency Response Plan

Specific plan for nuclear emergencies outside facilities.

Cost Recovery Agreement

Federal support for First Nations emergency responses.

Provincial Emergency Management Office

Coordinates overall emergency management in Ontario.

Provincial Emergency Operations Centre

State-of-the-art facility for emergency coordination.

Hazard Identification

Assessment of potential risks in the province.

Emergency Management Control Groups

Local groups managing emergency response operations.

Community Emergency Management Programs

Local programs for managing community emergencies.

Surveillance and Early Warning

Monitoring systems for timely emergency alerts.

Risk Communications

Information dissemination during emergencies for public safety.

Diagnostic Services Access

Availability of health services during emergencies.

Logistics Mechanisms

Systems for managing essential supplies in emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness Plans

Strategic plans for effective emergency management.

Research Development

Studies informing and improving emergency preparedness.

Emergency Recovery

Processes for restoring normalcy post-emergency.

Public Health System

Health services framework supporting emergency resilience.

Complex Adaptive System

Interconnected components responding to emergency challenges.

Emergency Operations Centres

Facilities for coordinating emergency management efforts.

Emergency Preparedness Legislation

Laws governing emergency response and management.

Emergency Management Programs

Community programs for managing emergencies effectively.

Municipal Emergency Management Control Groups

Groups overseeing emergency response and operations.

Emergency Operations Centres

Facilities for coordinating emergency management activities.

Community Emergency Management Coordinator

Individual responsible for local emergency management.

Emergency Declaration

Formal announcement by head of council during crises.

Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act

Legal framework for Ontario's emergency management.

Provincial Emergency Authority

Province's power to manage emergencies statewide.

Risk Assessment

Evaluating risks associated with identified hazards.

Critical Infrastructure

Essential systems vital for community function.

Forest Fires Prevention Act

Legislation for managing forest fire emergencies.

Health Protection and Promotion Act

Legislation granting health officials emergency powers.

Public Health Emergency Management

Readiness for health threats and service disruptions.

Foundational Standards

Guidelines ensuring effective emergency management.

Infectious Disease Events

Emergencies like SARS and H1N1 affecting public health.

Environmental Hazards

Natural events like flooding and forest fires.

Emergency Management Guideline

Framework for developing local health emergency programs.

Training Programs

Educational initiatives for emergency preparedness.

Public Education

Informing the community about emergency protocols.

All-Hazards Approach

Strategy addressing diverse emergency risks collectively.

System Resilience

Ability to recover from emergencies effectively.

Vulnerable Populations

Groups at higher risk during emergencies.

Emergency Management Exercises

Simulations to test emergency response plans.

Whole-of-community approach

Collaborative emergency planning across all community sectors.

Whole-of-government approach

Coordinated emergency response involving all government levels.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA)

Process to identify risks to safety and property.

Objectives in planning

Specific goals to guide emergency planning efforts.

Community partners

Stakeholders involved in emergency planning processes.

Identifying Hazards

Recognizing potential threats that may cause harm.

Community map

Visual representation to identify local hazards.

Historical events documentation

Recording past incidents to inform risk assessments.

Exposure assessment

Estimating people and assets at risk from hazards.

Vulnerability assessment

Identifying conditions increasing susceptibility to hazards.

Capacity assessment

Understanding community resources for hazard management.

Health Hazard and Risk Assessment

Evaluating health-related risks in the community.

Follow-up documentation

Recording findings and evidence post-assessment.

Hazard definition

Conditions causing loss, injury, or disruption.

Hazard criteria

Conditions indicating significant community impact potential.

Hazard triggers

Events initiating hazards, such as ecological or accidental.

Ecological triggers

Hazards from environmental and human interactions.

Accidental triggers

Unintentional harm despite reasonable care taken.

Malfunction triggers

Failures in equipment causing damage or harm.

Planned outage

Scheduled service unavailability causing potential hazards.

Intentional attack

Deliberate actions causing harm or damage.

Negligence

Failure to exercise reasonable care, causing harm.

Community Emergency Control Group

Team activated during significant emergencies.

Public safety hazards

Threats affecting community safety and order.

Wildfires

Fires occurring from May to September, causing damage.

Climate Change

Rising temperatures increasing wildfire frequency and intensity.

PM2.5

Fine particulate matter posing health risks from smoke.

Evacuation Alert

Notification to prepare for potential evacuation.

Evacuation Order

Mandatory evacuation due to imminent danger.

Wildfire Smoke

Complex mixture of gases and particles from fires.

HEPA Air Cleaner

Device filtering air to reduce smoke exposure.

N95 Respirator

Mask filtering out harmful particles, fitted properly.

Health Effects of Smoke

Irritation and inflammation from inhaled smoke particles.