Your Guide Through Emergencies and Disasters

Before


Throughout the preparedness phase, local authorities are responsible for:


Understanding How Manitoba EMO Assists You:

Manitoba EMO is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating all aspects of emergency preparedness in the province. To make this possible, Manitoba EMO requires the collaboration of various authorities to provide support in the development and maintenance of planning, preparedness, and response activities, such as:

  • Emergency plans;
  • Mutual assistance agreements;
  • Disaster risk reduction support;
  • Public awareness activities;
  • Equipment; and
  • Exercise programs.

Understanding Who Regional Emergency Managers (REMs) Are:

Often referred to as "boots on the ground,” regional emergency managers (REMs) are members of Manitoba EMO that oversee specific geographic regions in Manitoba. REMs can assist local authorities by:

  • Providing direct support and guidance to local authorities during all phases of an emergency.
  • Supporting the development of emergency management plans and programs.
  • Meeting for a variety of activities such as emergency exercises, after action reviews or training events.
  • Acting as an intermediary between Manitoba EMO and local authorities when the Manitoba Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) is activated.

Click on the maps below to locate your geographic region.

Links:


Appointing a Municipal Emergency Coordinator (MEC):

As outlined in the Emergency Measures Act, local authorities are required to appoint a Municipal Emergency Coordinator (MEC). The MEC’s duties involve developing, maintaining, and reviewing the local authority's Emergency Management Program components.

The MEC can also manage the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the local authority. An EOC is a central location within a local authority where emergency management personnel coordinate, collaborate, communicate, and make decisions to respond to emergencies.


Forming a Local Emergency Response Control Group (LERCG):

The Local Emergency Response Control Group (LERCG) is a group composed of key members of the local authority. This can include department heads, elected officials, and the Municipal Emergency Coordinator (MEC). The LERCG’s primary function is to:

  1. Assist the Municipal Emergency Coordinator (MEC) with the preparation and coordination of emergency management programs.
  2. Conduct regular meetings throughout the year to coordinate functions.
  3. Brief the local authority on local authority emergency management program developments annually or as required by the local authority.
  4. Coordinate and direct activities that will mitigate the effects of the major emergency.
  5. Establish/create sub-committees or working groups to plan for, and respond to, major emergencies or disasters.
  6. Advise the local authority in declaring a State of Local Emergency.
  7. Assist with the following supports:
    1. Activating the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC);
    2. Activation of program personnel;
    3. Coordination of resources and equipment;
    4. Determining if an evacuation is warranted and if the evacuation can be listed;
    5. Media messaging; and
    6. Recovery operations.

Understanding When to Use Reports

Local authorities are responsible for understanding and knowing when to use the following reports, provided by Manitoba EMO:

The intent of these forms is to assist the local authority in the administration of their emergency management program. They include resources to keep track of important situational awareness information, to provide updates to Manitoba EMO, to conduct an after-action review, and more.

The Local Authority Preparedness Report is intended to gather situational awareness in anticipation of a hazard and to identify preparedness activities prior to a hazard event (e.g., flood or wildfire). The information gathered supports provincial preparedness and response activities.

The purpose of the Municipal Road Closures / Re-opening Reporting form is to provide up to date information to the Manitoba Transportation Coordination Centre (MTCC). This information is used for ambulance dispatch on the current status of municipal roads affected by flooding or other incidents to ensure a timely and safe response is provided to citizens and communities in Manitoba. It is important to report all municipal road closures / re-openings as soon as possible.

The Local Authority Incident Response Report is intended to gather situational awareness information during an incident while response operations are active. The information gathered supports provincial preparedness and response activities. Completed forms can be submitted to the Manitoba EMO Duty Officer via email.

The Province of Manitoba maintains a limited supply of flood protection equipment for use during an emergency or disaster situation. The Province of Manitoba does not supply dry sand for sandbags or rolls of polyethylene. The Local Authority must complete the Manitoba EMO Flood Resource Request form and send it to the Manitoba EMO Duty Officer for review via email.

The State of Local Emergency Declaration Notification form is meant to supplement the council resolution passed by council, quorum of council or by the Mayor or Reeve in special circumstances. A completed form as well as a copy of the council resolution can be submitted to the Manitoba EMO Duty Officer via email.

The intent of the Local Authority After Action Review is to review activities before, during, and after an event. Information provided will be used for the direct purpose of enhancing and improving both local authority and provincial government’s preparedness and response activities. This document can be used for internal purposes or upon request by Manitoba EMO.


Developing Emergency Management Programs

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring their community has an emergency plan. These plans should outline local procedures, roles, and responsibilities during various types of emergencies. These plans should also be reviewed and updated regularly based on lessons learned from exercises, trainings, and real incidents.

The emergency plan is a key component of an Emergency Management Program. Local authorities are required to develop an Emergency Management Program for their community, which includes ten priority components:

  1. Governance Structure: Outlines the hierarchy of authority in an Emergency Management Program and the scope of work for each position.
  2. Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability Assessments (HRVA): Addresses the hazards most likely to occur within the local authority and assists in risk-reduction choices to address vulnerabilities and manage emergencies and disasters.
  3. Emergency Plan: Local authorities are required to develop an emergency plan for their community. It should detail the roles and responsibilities, location of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a community evacuation plan, and other critical details to ensure a coordinated response in the event of an emergency or disaster.
  4. Exercise Plan: Local authorities are required to practice using their emergency plan using simulated emergency scenarios. Exercising your plan allows local authorities to practice their roles and responsibilities, rehearse the use of relevant equipment, strengthen partnerships with other agencies, and to familiarize themselves with the plans content.
  5. Emergency Social Services Plan: Local authorities are required to have plans in place on how to maintain the emotional and physical well-being of evacuees and responders in emergencies and disasters.
  6. Public Education: Ensuring your community is prepared at an individual level will lead to a more successful response in the event of an emergency or disaster. Local authorities can share materials from Manitoba EMO or develop their own for their specific community.
  7. Administration: Your emergency program should detail how you will manage your budgets/finances (financial aspects of emergency management programs), records management (either paper or digital), and management of goods, resources, and external personnel.
  8. Training Plan for emergency personnel: Training is one of the key factors for a successful response to an emergency or disaster and it is important to have a plan in place that outlines how emergency personnel gain the necessary training involved in the local authority's emergency management program.
  9. Business Continuity Plan: Addresses how the organization's operational services can be maintained and restored to pre-event status following an emergency or disaster.
  10. Mutual Aid Plan: Mutual Aid Agreements are pre-arranged agreements developed between two or more organizations to assist each other and mobilize emergency resources for additional emergency assistance.

Communication

Local authorities are responsible for establishing clear communication protocols and systems to facilitate efficient communication. Local authorities must establish mechanisms for sharing information, resources, and coordinating response efforts among their communities, partners, and Manitoba EMO.


Collaboration

Local authorities are responsible for collaborating with Manitoba EMO, neighboring local authorities, and other non-government organizations (NGOs) involved in emergency management to ensure a coordinated and unified response. Local authorities can establish mutual aid agreements with neighbouring local authorities to facilitate the sharing of resources and support during large-scale emergencies.


Resources

Local authorities are responsible for knowing the capacity of their resources. This includes personnel, equipment, and supplies, and ensuring they are well-maintained and available when needed. If resources are insufficient, local authorities should take pre-measures to acquire adequate resources, establish mutual aid agreements, or establish plans to account for inadequate resources.


Training and exercises

Local authorities should engage in regular training sessions and emergency exercises to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures, communication protocols, and their specific role during different types of emergencies.

Manitoba EMO offers several courses, trainings, and exercises for emergency managers. To explore what is available, visit our Training and Exercises page.


Mitigation and Prevention Strategies

Local authorities should utilize local knowledge and previous After-Action Reviews to mitigate risks before they occur. This may include prioritizing disaster risk reduction projects or reflecting known risk in land use planning processes, such as restricting development. Mitigation and prevention strategies should be reflected in all municipal planning processes on a continuous basis.