Annual Report 2000 - Halifax Regional Municipality

Public Safety —
Emergency Measures Office
T
he Emergency Measures
Office (EMO) of the
municipality offers two
levels of service to its
clients:
– during times of
emergency, the EMO
facilitates the delivery of a
coordinated response to
the emergency.
– in periods of nonemergency,
the EMO
provides programs and
leadership that will assist
its clients to prepare for an
eventual, but unknown
peril.
The two levels of
service are provided
internally and externally.
Internally, EMO’s services
are provided to other
municipal departments
and services that will be,
or may be called upon to
perform in an emergency
role at some point in time.
Externally, the EMO
liaises with other
governmental agencies,
private sector business,
and members of the
public at large to provide
the two levels of service.
Accomplishments
Strengthening Preparedness
Among Neighbours (SPAN)
EMO formed a team of
dedicated staff and
volunteers to educate
individuals and families
on emergency
preparedness.
Year 2000 Response (Y2K)
EMO was part of the
project team that worked
to minimize any potential
difficulties that could
arise during the rollover
into the new millennium.
EMO also ensured there
were extensive plans
available to allow for
continuity of essential
services should a Y2K
related problem occur.
Emergency Responses
EMO participated in
several emergency
responses in 1999 – acting
as an advisor to the
responding agencies and
helping coordinate the
evacuation and temporary
relocation of displaced
residents.
Current Initiatives
Emergency Operations
Centre (EOC)
Participating in a joint
approach to emergency
management with the
three levels of government.
Training
Develop and
implement an EMO
training philosophy that
supports current
emergency management
styles and is coordinated
with other municipal
departments.
Volunteer Management
Developing programs
that utilize our extensive
volunteer community in
both emergency and nonemergency
times.
Evacuation Plan
Completion and
implementation of a
master evacuation plan for
Halifax Regional
Municipality.
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