Emergency ManagementOntario Region

Presented to: Northwest Response Forum

Dryden, ON - April 5, 2011

March 2011

Presented by:

Jo Ann Ford

Ontario Region Emergency Response Coordinator

CIDM # 392650

Purpose

• Present an overview of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) roles and responsibilities in Emergency Management.

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ALBANY RIVER (April 2008)

Note the size of the ice

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Evacuations - Ontario Region• Three James Bay Coast First Nations evacuated in

2008- Kashechewan (April 25 – May 4, 2008)

• 886 residents- Fort Albany (April 27 – May 6, 2008)

• 530 residents- Attawapiskat (May 9 – 21, 2008)

• 1204 residents

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Evacuations (con’t) – Ontario Region

• Grand total of 1620 residents were evacuated to nine municipalities of:

• Cochrane, Greenstone, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, Stratford, Thunder Bay, Waterloo

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ALBANY RIVER – APRIL 2008

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Emergency Management at INAC

• In 2008, INAC reorganized its emergency unit and formed the Emergency and Issue Management Directorate (EIMD) in the Regional Operations Sector in HQ.

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Ontario Regional Structure & How We Operate

• Currently the Emergency and Issues Unit is staffed by 3 FTE (2 in the south and 1 in north) headed up by the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

• Work collaboratively on all files ranging from evacuations, civil unrest, policy development, negotiations of agreements, budget management and communication.

• Fully trained in and follow the Incident Command System (ICS) for emergencies and issue management.

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Ontario Regional Structure & How We Operate(con’t)

• ICS structure consists of command, operations, planning, logistics, and administration. During an emergency, each of the EIM staff take leadership in one or more of these roles. ICS uses principles that are proven to improve efficiency and effectiveness in emergency response.

• EIMD staff are required to take on role of duty officer to monitor and report on emergencies and issues during weekends and holidays. Coverage is 24/7.

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Ontario Regional Structure & How We Operate(con’t)

• Identifying and possible mitigation of issues, liaision with FN, EMO, law enforcement and other related agencies.

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Roles & Responsibilities for all

• Individuals – 72 hours of preparedness: protect personal property.

• Communities – develop community emergency management plans; first response.

• Provinces/Territories – respond to emergencies that have exceeded the capacity of communities.

• INAC Regions – liaise with provinces & First Nations; negotiate agreements with provinces.

• INAC HQ – National Emergency Management Plan; situational awareness; ensure First Nations have access to comparable emergency management services.

• Government of Canada – co-ordinate federal response to emergencies.

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Emergency Management at INAC

• First Nations are responsible for developing and implementing emergency plans for their communities.

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Emergency Management at INAC

• Although emergency management is a provincial/territorial responsibility, INAC is responsible for supporting emergency management in First Nation communities.

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Emergency Management at INAC

• INAC enters into collaborative agreements with provincial governments to ensure that First Nation communities have access to emergency assistance services.

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Key Players – Ontario Region INACEmergency Response Team

• Emergency Response Co-ordinator (fires/floods)• Emergency and Issues Management Advisor

(Protests/G8-G20)• Crisis Response Officer• Report to Director of Intergovernmental Affairs• Communications Operations & Media Relations• Staff from all directorates as emergency support

team members can be deployed to Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC), host receiving centres, First Nation communities as liaisons. Call letter to INAC staff in February

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Roles and Responsibilities – Ontario Region Emergency Response Team during an evacuation

• Establish a dedicated unit to respond and co-ordinate in the event of an evacuation.

• Deploy INAC representative to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC).

• Deploy community liaison officers to each host receiving centre and First Nation community.

• Appoint media spokesperson to ensure consistent and accurate messaging.

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INAC’s Roles & Responsibilities (con’t)

• Provide communication linkage with Emergency and Issues Management Directorate (EIMD) at headquarters.

• Monitor, approve, reimburse Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) and First Nations for eligible costs associated with the evacuation(s).

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Key Players during an evacuation( Province)

• Emergency Management Ontario – lead• Ministry of Natural Resources• Ministry of Education• Ministry of Community and Social Services• Ministry of Health & Long Term Care

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Key Players – Federal Departments

• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada• Health Canada• Department of National Defence• Public Safety Canada

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Other Key Players (con’t)

• Law enforcement agencies (OPP/NAPS)• Private-sector representatives (Friendship

Centres)• Volunteer organizations (Red

Cross/Salvation Army)• Local governments (municipalities)• First Nation organizations (Tribal Councils,

Indian Child and Family Services Agency)

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Good partnerships based on

. effective collaboration;

. co-ordination;

. communications.

are key to effective emergency management

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INAC National Emergency Management Plan

• In June 2009, INAC’s first National Emergency Management Plan was approved by the Deputy Minister.

• The purpose of the INAC National Emergency Management Plan is to provide a national framework for the roles and responsibilities of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities in First Nation communities across Canada.

• The INAC National Emergency Management Plan describes the roles and responsibilities of the department and its partners in emergency management in First Nations communities.

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Conclusion

• INAC continues to collaborate with provinces and First Nations to ensure First Nation communities have emergency management services comparable to those of other Canadians in similar circumstances

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Questions??

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