Emergency Preparedness Program

Letter from the Mayor
Committees
Groups-Senior Services Task Force
Legislation (Bylaws and Acts)
Disaster Response Routes
New West Emergency Management Structure and EOC Organizational Chart
Provincial Emergency Organizational Structure
Principles Guiding Emergency Management
Emergency Management Logo (Planning, Preparedness, Response and Recovery)
Emergency Operations Centre
Mobile Command Unit
Emergency Water Purification Unit
Evacuations – What You Need to Know
Business Continuity
CHNW New Westminster Public Safety Radio 88.7 FM

Letter from the Mayor

Click here to download the Letter from the Mayor

Committees

Emergency Advisory Committee

Emergency Advisory Committee is committed to providing interactive communication from the citizens of New Westminster with city staff on matters of Emergency Management. This includes training and education in personal preparedness, business continuity and recognizing leaders within our community.

Terms of Reference

Integrated Emergency Management Team

The Integrated Emergency Management Team promotes the four pillars of Emergency Management: Mitigation/Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. The overall purpose is to coordinate emergency management policy, planning and execution in New Westminster.

Groups - Senior Services Task Force
The New Westminster Seniors Services Task Force ("the SSTF") was established in 2005. Its mandate is to coordinate and communicate the needs of New Westminster's aging population. Members include seniors, community members, agencies and organizations with an interest in the needs of seniors. Members are committed to fostering and maintaining the highest standard of professionalism and conduct at all times.

The Emergency Management Office is proud to part of this great initiative and is constantly meeting the challenges to fulfil its mandates to the seniors of New Westminster.

2009 SSTF Year in Review

Legislation (Bylaws and Acts)

Click the link below to download the Bylaws and Acts Legislation

City of New Westminster Bylaw (under review)
Guide to Emergency Program Act 2005
Emergency Program Act
DFA Regulation
Emergency Management Regulations

Disaster Response Routes

What is a Disaster Response Route?
Disaster Response Route Map
Disaster Response Route Brochure

New Westminster Emergency Management Structure and EOC Organizational Chart

To download a copy of the EOC organization chart click on the link below:

Generic EOC Structure
City of New Westminster Emergency Management Structure
BCERMS Brochure
BCERMS Goals

Provincial Emergency Organizational Structure

To view the Provincial Emergency Organizational Structure click on the link below:

Provincial Emergency Organizational Structure
Emergency Management BC Structure
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Principles Guiding Emergency Management

1. Comprehensive – emergency managers consider and take into account all hazards, all phases, all stakeholders and all impacts relevant to disasters.

2. Progressive – emergency managers anticipate future disasters and take preventive and preparatory measures to build disaster-resistant and disaster-resilient communities.

3. Risk-driven – emergency managers use sound risk management principles (hazard identification, risk analysis, and impact analysis) in assigning priorities and resources.

4. Integrated – emergency managers ensure unity of effort among all levels of government and all elements of a community.

5. Collaborative – emergency managers create and sustain broad and sincere relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage trust, advocate a team atmosphere, build consensus, and facilitate communication.

6. Coordinated – emergency managers synchronize the activities of all relevant stakeholders to achieve a common purpose.

7. Flexible – emergency managers use creative and innovative approaches in solving disaster challenges.

8. Professional – emergency managers value a science and knowledge-based approach based on education, training, experience, ethical practice, public stewardship and continuous improvement.

Emergency Management Logo (Planning, Preparedness, Response and Recovery)

Definitions:

Planning/Mitigation: Measures to reduce or eliminate effects of a crisis.
Preparedness: Measures in place to ensure effective response to an emergency.
Response: Actions to respond to the event.
Recovery: Actions to recover from the effects of the incident.

Emergency Operations Centre

In larger emergencies, onsite responders might require policy, coordination, and resource direction and support. An EOC is set up off site of the incident in a pre-designated facility to provide this support. EOC’s may be set up by any level of government or the private sector to support individual response agencies or the overall response effort. The EOC provides policy direction to site Incident Commander(s), coordinates resource requests from the site(s), and manages all non-site activities.

Mobile Command Unit

What does it do?

This unit is to be a shared resource within the City, one that is capable of being used as a command post to facilitate an effective and coordinated response to an emergency and thereby aid in the proficient use of resources. Being able to respond to emergencies and disasters in a coordinated and efficient manner is critical since these situations can cause severe disruptions in normal operations and communication.

Uses:

Reception Centers for Emergency Social Services
Information Booths
Portable Office Space
Incident Command Post
Offers a Police Dispatch Back up Centre
Targeted Enforcement Projects
Search & Rescue
Co-ordination with Law Enforcement
Public Safety
Planned/ Un-planned Events
Aid to other Local Authorities or Agencies
Parades (Community Events)
Crime Scenes
Tactical Response

Emergency Water Purification Unit

What does it do?

The water purification unit is a self contained mobile water purification unit built into a trailer that can be moved to any source of water regardless of contamination.

Evacuations – What you need to know

There are two types of evacuations; planned and tactical. In a planned evacuation the City of New Westminster will follow the Three Stage Evacuation Process of Evacuation Alert, Evacuation Order and Evacuation Rescind.

Stage 1 - Evacuation Alert
The purpose of the Evacuation Alert is to inform the population at threat of a potential or impending danger. An Evacuation Alert may allow for the affected population to begin an orderly preparation to leave the affected area while informing them of the hazard as well as identify hazard/emergency zone, evacuation route(s) and Reception Centres. Evacuation alerts do not require a declaration of a state of local emergency. In some instances an Evacuation Order is immediate and no evacuation alert is given.

Stage 2 - Evacuation Order
The order to evacuate all or part of an area should only be given after careful consideration of all the factors involved, and with life safety being paramount. The hazard and situation is the primary indicator when making the decision to evacuate.

It should be stated that while the evacuation order is in effect, the area in question will have controlled access. Locating, rescuing, stabilizing and removing victims from hazardous and/or contaminated area(s) is done only by emergency services personnel where the risk to responders is minimal.

Persons who remain in an area in violation of an Evacuation Order should be advised that they cannot expect assistance if their lives are subsequently threatened by the hazard.

Police and Peace Officers can arrest and charge individuals who are obstructing the evacuation process or hindering first responder's in the performance of their duties. Boundaries of the declaration of a state of local emergency must cover all areas under evacuation. Declarations of emergency automatically expire after seven days. If it is required to leave the evacuation order in place beyond the seven days, local authorities should ensure that the local declaration is extended.

Stage 3 - Evacuation Rescind

When the emergency which necessitated the evacuation is under control and the hazard/emergency zone is declared safe, a Rescind of the Evacuation Order is issued. In many situations the population should be advised that although they are being allowed to return to their homes, the risk may reoccur and the potential for the reinstatement of the Evacuation Order remains.

Business Continuity

City of New Westminster will be working with local businesses to further promote Business Continuity. Business continuity is the system that is put in place that allows the business to operate even after a disaster or major emergency. For plans to operate effectively, all staff must be trained, briefed and made aware of the business continuity plan.

For Further Information, see the Personal Preparedness and Business Continuity Page

CHNW New Westminster Public Safety Radio

The City of New Westminster is committed to providing its citizens with timely, on demand and effective information. In November 2007, the City of New Westminster was the first municipality in Canada to use a FM radio station for emergency broadcasting.

This radio station’s primary role is to relay vital information and instructions during an emergency or disaster. A secondary role, and equally important, is to relay Public Safety related messaging.

Currently you can hear us on 88.7 FM using pre-recorded messaging. The Emergency Management Office is compliant with Industry Canada and CRTC regulations in that we broadcast at 5 watts.

The Emergency Management Office is currently looking at a significant leap in reaching a larger audience base; this will be done by providing an online feed through our website in the future. We are also working on providing a more robust programming schedule to further promote education and community based awareness.

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