Province of New Brunswick Department of Public Safety / NB EMO Regional Emergency Measures Plan for Region 10

Transcription

1 Province of New Brunswick Department of Public Safety / NB EMO Regional Emergency Measures Plan for Region 10 November 2014

2 PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEASURES PLAN For REGION 10 FOREWORD The Regional Emergency Measures Plan for Region 10 is issued in accordance with Chapter E-7.1 Emergency Measures Act assented to May 13, It is effective upon receipt. This document replaces the any pervious Regional or District Emergency Action Plan currently in use. This plan will provide the basis for the regional response to any emergency in Region 10 of the Province of New Brunswick. This plan is complimentary and does not supersede Municipal plans. It is to be read in conjunction for proper context. The members of the Regional Emergency Action Committee for Region 10, the members of the Regional Service Commission for Region 10, Mayors and Council members for any municipality, rural municipality and any representative of LSDs within Region 10 and any interested agency involved in emergency planning are invited to comment on the plan or to provide suggestions for amendment. Region 10-1

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS/TABLE DES MATIERES Part 1 Introduction/Introduction Distribution List/Liste D Envoi List of Amendments/Releve des Amendements Part One Concept of Operations/Partie un Concept d une opération Part 2 Introduction/Introduction Emergency Site Manager (ESM) Emergency Social Services (ESS) New Brunswick Ground Search and Rescue (NB GSAR) Part 3 Aircraft Event Guide Construction Accident Earthquake Environmental/HazMat/Dangerous Goods Fire (Forest/Urban/Rural/Explosion) Flood and Ice Jams Mine /Natural Gas Pipeline Severe Weather Transportation Part 4 Regional Hazardous Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Part 5 Local Service District (LSD) guide. Region 10-2

4 INTRODUCTION 1. The aim of the plan for Region 10 is to provide a prompt, coordinated and effective response to emergencies by the Government of New Brunswick, its agencies and departments and by the various regional and local government authorities, municipalities and non-governmental agencies at a regional level. 2. This plan is issued by the Minister of Public Safety, under the authority of the Emergency Measures Act. 3. The Regional Emergency Measures Plan may be cited as the Regional Emergency Measures Plan and describes a level of preparation, planning and response situated between the Regional Emergency Measures Plan and Municipal Emergency Measures Plans. 4. Chapter E-7.1 Emergency Measures Act assented to on May 13, 2011 is the key piece of legislation upon which the Emergency Measures Plan is based. It provides definitions, makes the Minister of Public Safety responsible for the administration of the Act, establishes the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), provides guidelines and responsibility for emergency planning, and outlines States of Emergency, Disaster Relief Fund and Liability for Damages. 5. Regulation 84-7 under the Emergency Measures Act (O.C ) filed on January 23, 1984 details responsibilities for regional government departments and agencies. Regulation under the Emergency Measures Act (O.C ) filed on April 29, 1983, as amended by Regulation filed on December 14, 1990 outlines the disaster assistance available to municipalities. This act and these regulations should be read as background to this plan. 6. The plan is designed to provide direction and guidance for dealing with emergencies ranging from a single regional departmental response to a fully coordinated, collective response by all regional departments, supported by the provincial government. It may be implemented in whole or in part, depending on the situation. The plan is divided into five parts: a. Part I - Outlines the concept of operations, describes the response structure and outlines the basic emergency actions; b. Part II Provides information with reference to specific request (nonemergency); c. Part III - Provides emergency action guidelines for specific emergencies; d. Part IV Provides the Regional Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment; and e. Part V Local Service District (LSD) guide. Region 10-3

5 DISTRIBUTION LIST / LISTE D'ENVOI Deputy Minister of Department of Public Safety 1 Sous-ministre de la Ministère de la Securite Publique Director NB EMO 2 Members of the Regional 3 Emergency Action Committee Regional Service Commission 4 Regional EM Coordinators 5 Coordonnateurs régionaux de l'omu Municipal EMO Coordinators 6 Coordonnateurs municipaux de l'omu Regional offices for Provincial Government Departments 7 Other Stakeholder agencies 8 Spare 9 Substitute Region 10-4

6 LIST OF AMENDMENTS: AMENDMENT NO. DATE BY WHOM AMENDED DATE AMENDED Dec 14 Brent Whelan, REMC 08 Dec 2014 Region 10-5

7 PART ONE CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS/PARTIE UN CONCEPT D UNE OPERATION 1. Areas of Influence and Interest Zones d'influence et d'intérêt 2. Phases of an Emergency Operation Étapes d une opération d urgence 3. Graduated Response Concept Concept d intervention progressive 4. Levels of Responsibility during an Emergency Niveaux d intervention 5. Levels of Response to an Emergency French TBI 6. Initiation of Regional Response Début de l intervention régionale 7. States of Emergency État d urgence 8. The Regional Emergency Action Committee (REAC) Comité régionale d intervention d urgence (CRIU) 9. Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC) Centre régionale des opérations d urgence (CROU) 10. Regional Emergency Operations Opérations d urgence régionale 11. Municipal Emergency Operations Opérations d urgence municipale 12. Emergency Communications Communications d urgence 13. Volunteer Agencies Organismes bénévoles 14. Requests for Assistance Demand d aide Region 10-6

8 15. Administration Administration 16. Termination of Operations Fin des opérations Region 10-7

9 PART ONE - CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS General 1. The time-tested formula for handling emergency situations is to have the right people knowing what to do at the right time and having the means to do it. To achieve this, is the goal of all emergency planning. 2. Emergency situations, by their very nature, generate confusion with respect to responsibilities and jurisdiction. This adds to an already stressful situation and frequently results in needless duplication of effort and waste of limited resources. The potential for chaos can be reduced by clearly establishing responsibilities and by the use of an accepted concept of operations. This can best be achieved by using the principles of clearly delineated areas of influence and interest. 3. These principles ensure that the response to an emergency is managed and coordinated by those affected, that the disruption is limited in scope, area and that only the resources that are required to fix it are used. AREAS OF INFLUENCE AND INTEREST Introduction 4. It is necessary to define regional areas of influence and interest, within the overall New Brunswick security and emergency management spectrum. General Concept 5. The Area of Influence is tied to jurisdiction and the requisite authority to commit the necessary resources to influence outcomes. 6. The Area of Interest is defined by geography, connectivity and time. The Area of Interest is further defined by actual or potential events, normally situated outside the area of influence, which may impact the region. Area of Influence 7. The Region 10 area of influence is the physical volume of space within which the Region, the Locals Service Districts and Municipalities can directly influence activities or events through security or consequence management, commitment or coordination of resources, and information operations, within its legislative and constitutional jurisdiction. It can be visualized as a three-dimensional condition that evolves with the nature of events or activities, including those occurring within its Area of Interest. It is possible that the Area of Influence may coincide with, and therefore overlap amongst, various other regional jurisdictions. This is assessed by the Government of New Brunswick through constant awareness and coordination Region 10-8

10 and therefore, unity of effort is then essential. Within the Area of Influence, ownership of assets or operational/local jurisdiction is acknowledged and respected but ultimately remains subordinate to their application towards a common purpose. Area of Interest 8. The Region 10 area of interest is the three-dimensional space, defined in geographic terms, e.g., land, air and water, in which the Region, the LSDs and Municipalities identify and monitor those factors, including potential security and safety threats, which may adversely affect the safety of its citizens. The Region, the LSDs and Municipalities should decide how wide they must look - in both time and space, to determine whether other events or activities may have an impact on its current and future security and safety environment. The Area of Interest will overlap those of other jurisdictions, internally and externally to the region. Therefore, coordination is required to ensure unity of effort. The scope of this wider view is not limited by the reach of the Regional Service Commissions, LSDs or Municipalities existing resources, but will also include Regional Government resources and depends upon the location, events and activities that may affect the collective interests. Where the Province of New Brunswick s Area of Interest does extend beyond its collection and/or monitoring ability, it is the basis for integrating intelligence and information sharing mechanisms with other government jurisdictions and agencies; law enforcement and intelligence agencies; and public and private sector critical infrastructure owners/operators. 9. With regard to defining the Area of Interest, there is the added dynamic of time. While an emerging threat might still be outside the Regional Area of Influence (i.e. storms, interdicted aircraft threats, ships at sea, etc), the potential that they may impact the Region denotes that they have entered our Area of Interest. The attendant actions would usually constitute the Warning Phase of an emergency, and serve as a trigger for mitigation, response and recovery strategies. 10. Thus, the Region must determine how far beyond those limits to look, in time and space, for information, intelligence and warning and will be aided in this by the Province of New Brunswick and its partners. Implications 11. The Regional Emergency Management Coordinator (REMC) and the Regional Emergency Action Committee (REAC) will maintain general situational awareness of actual or potential events that may impact on the region. This requires: a. Ongoing awareness and monitoring of actual or potential natural or human caused events, that may impact the region in partnership with all regional partners, regional municipalities, LSDs and other stakeholders. Region 10-9

11 b. The REAC members form the Regional Emergency Operation Center (REOC) and will coordinate efforts in response to such events using elements of the Regional Emergency Plan. PHASES OF AN EMERGENCY OPERATION 12. An emergency operation will normally consist of the following four phases: a. The Warning Phase consists of actions taken to counter and curtail the effects of the incident. These include alerting the public, local and regional authorities, and preparing resources. b. The Impact Phase refers to the event itself. c. The Response Phase, which may overlap the Impact Phase, covers the period during which the emergency is brought under control. d. The Recovery Phase is the clean-up period, used to return the affected communities to normal. 13. These phases are used to help establish priorities and focus activities. Under ideal circumstances, adequate warning will be received so that the Warning Phase will be complete before the Impact Phase commences. However, an overlap of phases should be anticipated. For example, planning for the Recovery Phase will start before the Response Phase ends. GRADUATED RESPONSE CONCEPT 14. A graduated response allows for the control and coordination of resources assigned to deal with an emergency. It allows for the use of only those resources, human and material, necessary to meet the requirements of that incident, and speaks to attempting to deal with an emergency at the lowest level practicable. In keeping with this concept, the response at the Regional level will be tailored to meet the circumstances of a given emergency. LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY DURING AN EMERGENCY 15. The Regional Level of emergency management falls into a tiered system of increasing responsibility, areas of influence and interest that is based on the different levels of government authority in the Province of New Brunswick as follows: a. Individual Individuals are responsible for themselves and their immediate family and includes household and neighbourhood preparations such as the 72 hour emergency kits. b. Municipal Municipal level resources managed by local Mayors and Council Region 10-10

12 Region and LSD representatives. c. Regional Regional level resources coordinated by the NB EMO Regional Emergency Management Coordinators (REMC) and Regional Emergency Action Committees (REAC). This includes: (1) Developing and implementing regional plans and procedures for an integrated regional response to emergencies. (2) Assuming direction and control as authorised by the Director of NB EMO: (a) Only when municipal or local authority does not exist; (b) Only when municipal or local authority requests and the Minister of Public Safety authorizes direct action by the Regional government; (c) Only when the event is of such magnitude that it is clearly beyond the capability of local authorities; and (d) Only when the action required in dealing with the emergency rests with the province or a department, e.g. large scale health or environmental emergency. d. Provincial Government of New Brunswick resources managed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and NB EMO. e. National Government of Canada resources managed by Public Safety Canada. LEVELS OF RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY 16. In an emergency which affects the lives, welfare or property of citizens or the environment, the ultimate responsibility for preventive or ameliorative action rests with government. The public responsibility for dealing with emergencies lies with local governments. a. Individual Response Assist municipal and local authorities in identifying the emergency; b. Municipal or Local Authority Response Municipal and local authorities affected are responsible for dealing with the emergency. c. Regional Response - When the capacity of the local authority is exceeded, or is likely to be exceeded, a regional response is activated and involves support provided from the neighbouring municipalities through formal or informal mutual

13 Region aid arrangements and from Regional resources through the REMC. d. Provincial Response - When this combined response is exceeded, or in danger of being exceeded, the local authority through the REMC will request a response from the PEAC with its Provincial departments and agencies. e. National Response - If additional response is required, federal support and assistance will be arranged by the PEAC. The decisions on whether capacities have been or are about to be exceeded are matters of judgement and can only be decided by the responsible authority at the time and place. 17. Regardless of the level of response, responsibility for the control and conduct of the municipal emergency operation rests with the local authority. Such local authority may receive advice and assistance from representatives of the Regional departments and agencies through the REMC. 18. There will be those emergencies which occur where local government does not exist, or is rendered inoperative by the emergency, or where the magnitude of the emergency overwhelms the resources of the municipality. It is then that the REMC will be required to assume responsibility and provide the necessary coordination for the emergency operation. INITIATION OF REGIONAL RESPONSE 19. NB EMO is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As part of their normal duties, the EMO staff will monitor events that may impact New Brunswick. 20. Notification of an emergency, or potential emergency, can be received from several sources. Local authority can alert the REMC, who will in turn alert EMO. A Regional department can receive the initial notification from its field staff, who should promptly inform EMO. First responders may contact the EMO directly through its 24 hour emergency number (Phone ). EMO may receive an alert from a federal government agency or direct from international sources. In all circumstances, the EMO staff can provide advice or, if appropriate, initiate the Regional notification system. 21. Once alerted, REAC members will be placed on call, plans will be reviewed and resources checked. If an emergency occurs without warning, departments must be prepared to react effectively without this preparation. STATES OF EMERGENCY 22. The Minister of Public Safety may at any time, when satisfied that an emergency exists or may exist, declare a state of emergency in respect to all or any area of the Province. The mayor of a municipality may, under similar circumstances, declare a state of local emergency in respect of that municipality or part of that community.

14 23. A declaration of a state of emergency by either authority grants additional powers. It permits any necessary action to be taken to protect property, the environment and the health and safety of citizens. Qualified people can be authorized or required to render aid. Personal property can be used or acquired by confiscation or any means considered necessary. Travel can be controlled or prohibited, property can be removed or demolished, people and livestock can be ordered evacuated, and prices can be fixed for food and essential supplies. 24. If public safety or property is threatened, the Emergency Measures Plan will be activated in whole or in part, with or without the declaration of a state of emergency. When a state of emergency has been declared, its extraordinary powers will be used only when no reasonable alternative exists. THE REGIONAL EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE (REAC) 25. When a substantial regional involvement is indicated or when there is a need to coordinate the regional response, the REAC will be activated. 26. The REAC managed by the REMC or his/her representative, is comprised of representatives of those regional departments detailed in Regulation 84-7 under the EMO Act. The precise departmental representation in the REAC will depend on the nature and scope of the event. It may also include federal or other agency representatives as necessary. 27. The REAC consists of departmental representatives, who staff the departmental desks in the PEOC. They will provide their department's input to the Committee and will keep their department informed. Those Regional departments which normally do not provide representatives in the REAC may be called upon for advice or resources. 28. The REAC may be assembled by the Director NB EMO at any time before or during an emergency for the purpose of: a. Assessing a potential emergency situation; b. Preparing or reviewing contingency plans and procedures; c. Considering the deployment of resources and emergency site managers to an emergency; d. Monitoring operations and providing direction to departments, regions, districts, and emergency site managers; e. Providing situation updates and making recommendations to the Director; and f. Referring major problems for resolution to the Minister and implementing the Region 10-13

15 Region direction received. REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRES (REOCs) 29. In order to provide maximum capabilities with sufficient redundancies, Region 10 will have two REOCs. At the discretion of the Regional EM Coordinator, and based on the current or perceived emergency, either REOC A located at 41 King St (Provincial Building), St. Stephen NB E3B 2C1 or REOC B located at 690 Rte 170, Oak Bay E3L 4A2 will be activated. Each location has the necessary working accommodation and communications for the coordination and control of a regional emergency response. In addition to the REOCs, departmental operation centres or other designated facilities may be established to control and direct departmental operations. REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS 30. The Regional Emergency Management construct is designed to provide a more robust and responsive Emergency Management capability across the province. This capability compliments the regionalization of government services allowing municipalities, rural communities and LSDs to plan coordinate and pool resources on a regional basis in order to enable more effective responses to emergency situations. 31. The regional emergency management construct is situated between the provincial and municipal levels of emergency management and allows for the development of regional emergency protocols which may specify mutual assistance agreements between communities, provide assistance in developing and maintaining local emergency measures plans, and facilitating training initiatives for regional and inter-regional emergency responses. It also facilitates a better coordinated regional response in emergencies affecting more than one region. 32. The twelve Regional Service Commission regions of the Department of Local Government have been designated EMO Regions. 33. The REMC is responsible to the Director of EMO for emergency planning and operations. The principal responsibilities of the REMC are as follows: a. Develop and maintain a Regional Emergency Plan; b. Establish an REOC for the control and coordination of emergency operations; c. Establish and maintain contact with the Regional Service Commission, local Service Managers (LSMs), local municipal officials and all responding agencies; d. Maintain contact with EMO or the REAC, if activated;

16 e. Refer unresolved matters to EMO or the REAC, if activated, for resolution and direction; f. Advise and assist local authorities in the implementation of their emergency response plans; g. Coordinate the regional emergency response; h. Recommend the provision of specific assistance, including military assistance where appropriate; and i. Recommend the assumption of Regional control of an emergency operation, when it is exceeding the capacity of the region. MUNICIPAL AND LSD EMERGENCY OPERATIONS 34. In the first instance, preparing for and dealing with emergencies is the responsibility of the individual citizen. The responsibility then falls upon the municipality. The Emergency Measures Act requires each municipality to maintain a municipal EMO organization, appoint a director of the municipal EMO organization, and establish an EMO committee and to have emergency measures plans. 35. In a local emergency, the response structure will be based on the Municipal EMO, supported by mutual aid arrangements with neighbouring municipalities and the local EMO Region. In municipal emergency operations, the Municipal EMO will receive executive direction from their mayor and council. 36. The Municipal EMO will receive support from the REMC who in turn will call on the REAC for additional regional and provincial resources. Municipal requests for assistance will be directed to the REMC by an authorized municipal representative. To ensure a prompt effective regional response, it is essential that Municipal EMOs notify EMO, through their REMCs, as soon as possible of an emergency or potential emergency. 37. Although municipal officials may sit on the REAC during planning sessions, they will not normally be present in the REOC during operations. The exception is when the Municipal EMO Coordinator feels the need for liaison to ensure coordination. 38. If an emergency within a municipality escalates to the point where further powers are required, it may be recommended to the mayor that a State of Local Emergency be declared in accordance with the Emergency Measures Act. 39. Municipal authorities are responsible for: a. Implementing local emergency plans and conducting emergency operations Region 10-15

17 Region using the resources available to the municipality; b. Informing the Regional EM Coordinator promptly about a local emergency; c. Requesting assistance from other municipalities in accordance with mutual aid agreements; and d. Requesting assistance from the REGIONAL government through the Regional EM Coordinator in accordance with established emergency procedures. UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND LSDs 40. The DELG Local Service Managers have the responsibility to provide local government services for all unincorporated areas of the province. They are members of the REAC and maintain a role in assisting in providing emergency services to nonincorporated areas and the coordination of disaster assistance to these areas and districts is incorporated into the Regional Emergency Plan. To assist LSDs, an emergency response guide should be used for planning purposes with the LSM. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 41. It is essential to have reliable and dedicated communications which permit for the command and control throughout an emergency. 42. The Emergency Measures Communication Group (EMCG) supplements normal radio communications. This group is sponsored by EMO and consists of volunteer amateur radio operators, organized on an EMO Regional basis. The EMCG should be part of the REAC and regional plans. 43. Municipalities and LSDs are responsible for the provision of the emergency telephone, radio and facsimile equipment required for their emergency operations. They should designate a communications officer to coordinate their communications requirements and tasks. VOLUNTEER AGENCIES 44. An effective emergency response will depend to a large degree on the full use of all resources in the community. The province and most municipalities have a number of social services agencies, clubs, organizations and other civic-minded groups who can provide a wide range of skills, people and equipment. 45. Many volunteer agencies are prepared to offer their services in an emergency. These volunteers should be encouraged. Where appropriate a memorandum of understanding or a letter of intent should be prepared and signed by municipal authorities and the volunteer agency. These memoranda or letters should specify the forms of assistance to be provided and the arrangements, including financial, for

18 its provision. These formal arrangements are useful to ensure coordination of volunteer activity. 46. Procedures for obtaining and rendering assistance are to be set out in municipal emergency plans. Volunteer agencies will, depending on their assigned task, be allotted to the appropriate emergency response departments who will control and coordinate the volunteer agency response. REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE 47. Municipal requests for assistance will be directed to the REMC. Requests will only be accepted from an authorized municipal representative. 48. When it is anticipated that prompt access to resources of other jurisdictions may be required, mutual aid arrangements should be established and included in the municipal emergency measures plan. These can include cross border arrangements with provinces and the State of Maine. 49. Special arrangements have been made with the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada for access to additional or specialist human resources. These types of requests should normally be forwarded through the PEAC to the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. 50. Requests for Canadian Forces assistance will be directed to NB EMO who will deal through the Regional Director, Public Safety Canada (PS-C) to the Canadian Forces Regional Operations Staff at Joint Task Force Atlantic HQ. Requests for assistance from other Government of Canada departments will be directed to NB EMO for coordination and submission to the Regional Director PS-C. 51. Volunteer assistance is recognized as part of the emergency resources of the municipality and arrangements for their use will be set out in the municipal emergency plan. Where such assistance is not available locally, municipalities may submit requests directly to volunteer agencies or through EMO. At the Regional level, volunteer agency support will be coordinated by the department responsible for the provision of such assistance. ADMINISTRATION 52. Prior to an emergency or in an emergency in which the EOC is not activated, the purchase of materials and supplies will be made by departments in accordance with their normal procedures. In an emergency in which the EOC is activated, material and services will continue to be provided by departments through their own supply system, unless they are not available. 53. Arrangements for damage inspection and estimates will be made by the Department of Public Safety and the involved departments. Claims for compensation will be Region 10-17

19 submitted in accordance with the Department of Public Safety financial assistance policy. 54. Departments shall maintain written logs to record information, decisions and action taken during the emergency operations. The maintenance of good logs will greatly facilitate the post emergency critique and the preparation of post-operation updates. TERMINATION OF OPERATIONS 55. The regional emergency response will continue until regional assistance, direction and coordination are no longer required and the operation is terminated by the Minister or their delegated representative. The gradual reduction of departmental staff and the withdrawal of resources may begin before termination, but it must be done on a planned and coordinated basis under the direction of the Committee. An After Action Review (AAR) to evaluate the effectiveness of the emergency response will be conducted within 14 days of the termination of the operation. The proceedings will be chaired by the Director of EMO and attended by the emergency response personnel involved in the emergency. 56. Departments involved in an emergency will submit a written post-operation report to EMO within 30 days of its termination. The preparation of a regional report will be coordinated by EMO with the involved departments and submitted to the Minister/Deputy Minister within 60 days of the termination of the emergency. LIST OF ANNEXES/LISTE DES ANNEXES Annex A Definitions Annex B Authorities-Minister of Public Safety Annex C Departmental Representation and Responsibilities Annex D Responsibilities NB EMO Annex E Diagram of Concept of Ops Annex F Map of EMO Regions Annex G Volunteer Agencies Annex H Emergency Reports Region 10-18