HomeMy WebLinkAboutESD-011-02
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REPORT
EMERGENCY AND FIRE SERVICES
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Meeting:
Date: JUNE 17, 2002
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File # 10.12.6
Report #: ESD-011-02
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By-law #
Subject:
BILL 148 - AMENDMENTS TO THE EMERGENCY PLANS ACT
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1.)
2.)
3.)
THAT Report ESD-011-02 be received for information purposes;
THAT The Director of Emergency Services be identified as the Emergency
Planning Co-ordinator for the Municipality of Clarington; and
THAT the attached Resolution be adopted by Council.
Submitted by:
Reviewed by: 0 ~-~
Mi ael G. Creig to. MCT, CMM11 Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P.
Director Emergency & Fire Services Chief Administrative Officer
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Attachment: Resolution
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REPORT NO.: ESD.Q11-02
PAGE 2
h.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT
BACKGROUND
Bill 148 was tabled in the Legislature on December 6,2001 for First Reading. If passed,
the Bill changes the name of the Emergency Plans Act to the Emergency Management
Act. This change reflects the adoption by the Province of four components of emergency
management: mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
Bill 148 will have an impact on local area municipalities.
Kev Chanqes for Municipalities
. It will require every municipality to develop and implement an emergency management
program consisting of an emergency plan, training programs and exercises for
employees and other personnel involved in emergency response, public education and
any other element prescribed by regulation.
. While the current Act permits municipalities to formulate emergency plans, the
amendments to the Act make it mandatory. Every municipality shall formulate an
emergency plan and adopt the plan by by-law.
. In developing its emergency management programme, every municipality shall identify
and assess the hazards and risks to the community and identify facilities and
infrastructure at risk from emergencies.
. The emergency plans of area municipalities shall conform to the emergency plan of the
regional municipality .
· The name Emergency Measures Ontario will be changed to Emergency Management
Ontario (EMO). The title of Director will be changed to Chief, Emergency
Management Ontario. The Chief will be responsible for monitoring, co-ordinating and
assisting in the development and implementation of emergency management programs.
· Every municipality shall submit a copy of their emergency plans to the Chief,
Emergency Management Ontario and shall ensure EMO has the most current version.
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REPORT NO.: ESD-011-02
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. The Minister of Public Safety and Security (former title, the Solicitor General) may
make regulations setting standards for the development and formulation of emergency
plans. Every municipality shall ensure that their emergency management programs and
emergency plans conform to the standards established.
ReQional Comments
Ivan Ciuciura, Regional Director of Emergency Measures reports, the amendments to
the Act will upgrade emergency measures/emergency preparedness in the Province.
Rather than focusing on merely the production of a plan, the amendments and
regulations will move the Province to a "best practice" approach by adopting emergency
management and its four components: mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response
and recovery.
He also reports that municipalities must have a designated emergency co-ordinator, a
risk analysis must be performed to identify hazards specific to each community,
emergency plans will be mandatory as will a complete emergency management
program, including specified training, exercises and public education.
STAFF COMMENTS
Based on the mandatory requirements of Bill 148 to develop (identify and assess the
hazards and risks to the community and identify facilities and infrastructure at risk from
emergencies), implement an emergency management program and train employees
involved in emergency response, consideration should be given by Council to formally
send a resolution to both Provincial and Federal governments requesting funding
assistance for those municipalities that host nuclear facilities. To make a stronger
statement, if Council decides to take this approach, the resolution should be copied to
all Provincial and Federal M.P.s as well as all members of the Canadian Nuclear Host
Communities Association, for their endorsement.
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REPORT NO.: ESD-011-02
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Staff feels that once the designated emergency co-ordinator is in place, an exchange of
information between nuclear host communities' association members and their
emergency plan co-ordinators should take place to enhance the emergency planning
process for the member communities.
SUMMARY
Bill 148 changes the name of the Emergency Plans Act to the Emergency Management
Act. It is expected that this Bill will receive Royal Assent before the House's summer
recess. The amendments will move the Province from a preparedness and response,
plans-only focus to a wider emergency management scope consisting of four
components: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The amendments will
lead to enhanced community safety. Although it has been suggested that Emergency
Management Ontario may provide some assistance in the risk assessment process, no
Provincial funding has been allocated to assist municipalities in developing the new
emergency management programs. Once again, consideration should be given by
Council to formally send a resolution (see attached) to both the Provincial and Federal
governments requesting funding assistance for those municipalities that host nuclear
facilities. In accordance with the mandatory requirements of the Bill and to co-ordinate
and implement the required changes, it is essential that an Emergency Planning Co-
Ordinator be named. It is recommended that the Director of Emergency Services be
identified as the Emergency Planning Co-Ordinator for the Municipality of Clarington.
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1 C 3A6 T(905)623l3379 F (905)623-6506
907
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MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
COUNCIL
RESOLUTION #
DATE:
MOVED BY:
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS all Municipalities in Ontario are facing mandatory requirements to develop
and implement an Emergency Management Program consisting of an emergency plan,
training programs and exercises for employees and others involved in emergency
response, public education and other elements prescribed by regulation;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality of Clarington has extraordinary emergency planning
needs as host Municipality for the Darlington Generation Station;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal and Provincial governments be
requested to provide funding for the Municipality of Clarington and other host nuclear
communities, facing distinctive financial needs, to assist in the requirements for
emergency planning and preparation; and
THAT the Council resolution be circulated to the City of Pickering and the Municipality
of Kincardine for their endorsement; and
THAT the Council resolution be circulated to all local Federal and Provincial Members
of Parliament and all members ofthe Canadian Nuclear Host Communities Association.
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