A Regional Approach to Emergency Planning

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--A Regional Approach to Emergency Planning

This is the second in a series of feature articles leading up to Emergency Preparedness Week, May 6-12.

Having an emergency plan in Nova Scotia's municipalities not only makes good sense, it is required under provincial law. A municipality does not have to do this alone, however, as a new approach to planning is proving to have many benefits. By teaming up with nearby municipalities and adopting a regional approach, emergency plans can become more cost-effective and resourceful.

"In smaller communities, resources are limited, so it makes sense to have one emergency plan for the entire region," said Mike Lester, executive director of Nova Scotia's Emergency Measures Organization.

There are many benefits to a regional approach. Topping the list is the sharing of costs and resources. When one municipality purchases a resource, all municipalities in the region benefit from it. Small communities in one region may have individual emergency plans that draw from the same resources. Integrating these plans into one helps avoid duplication and makes co- operation easier.

"It certainly makes things a whole lot easier when you deal with the municipalities as one," said Carl Shaw, emergency measures co-ordinator for Colchester County and the municipalities of Stewiacke and Truro. "An emergency doesn't stop at municipal boundaries."

A challenge some municipalities face is not having one person dedicated to emergency planning. It's often the role of a municipal employee who has many other responsibilities and unfortunately, emergency planning can get pushed aside. A regional approach allows several municipalities to share the cost of hiring one dedicated person.

"Emergency planning is my priority and responsibility in the three municipal units," said Mr. Shaw.

Colchester County adopted its regional approach in 1999. The emergency plan hasn't been fully implemented although a portion was used during the Stewiacke train derailment in April 2001. Mr. Shaw was immediately onsite and implemented the section of the plan to transport train passengers.

Mr. Shaw said dealing with the derailment was made easier because regional resources were accessible.

"You have to be able to call the key people from the surrounding municipal units together as fast as you can," said Mr. Shaw.

While emergencies in the region are Mr. Shaw's responsibility, organizations are responsible for their own emergency planning -- especially schools, hospitals and nursing homes. The local emergency measures co-ordinator or police and fire departments can provide advice in developing a plan.

The provincial Emergency Measures Organization recommends all municipalities evaluate their emergency plan.

"We encourage municipalities to determine if they and their neighbours would benefit from a regional approach," said Mr. Lester. "It makes infinite sense."

Emergency Preparedness Week takes place May 6-12 with participation from every province and territory. This year's theme is Keeping Canada Safe - Emergency Preparedness Begins with YOU.

For more information, visit the Emergency Measures Organization Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/emo/ .