Roles and responsibilities during emergencies
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Introduction
Canada's emergency management system is a shared responsibility between:
- federal, provincial and territorial governments
- their partners, including Indigenous partners
- individual citizens
Each level of government has their own emergency management laws and ways of organizing within their respective jurisdictions.
Individual citizens also have a responsibility to be prepared for disasters and contribute to community resiliency. When working together in partnership, this makes up Canada's robust emergency management system.
In an emergency, local governments usually respond first. If a provincial or territorial government needs more help with an emergency, the federal government will step in to provide support.
At the federal level, Public Safety Canada is the primary department that ensures the whole government works together to help in an emergency.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works to ensure its services follow these emergency plans:
- Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP)
- An Emergency Management Framework for Canada
- National On-reserve All Hazards Emergency Management Plan
These documents make sure everyone does their part during emergencies. Legal and policy frameworks and other arrangements establish guidelines and standards to ensure that during emergency management activities, due diligence is exercised and accountability is respected.
ISC's role and responsibilities
ISC has a responsibility to support First Nations on reserves in emergency management. Funding for this purpose is primarily provided under ISC's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP).
ISC works with provincial and territorial governments through service agreements to ensure First Nations have access to comparable emergency assistance services available to other people residing in Canada. Provinces are responsible for emergency management within their areas of jurisdiction and therefore have expertise and capacity to deliver these services on behalf of ISC.
Service agreements are usually made between ISC, provinces and territories, and other service delivery partners and ensure that in the event of an emergency, the response is conducted without undue delay.
In recognition of Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination, ISC is exploring opportunities to transition to new multilateral approaches where First Nations are included in emergency management as full and equal partners.
How ISC supports First Nations communities during emergencies
To ensure First Nations have the assistance they need within the broader provincial or territorial emergency management system, ISC is in regular contact with provincial and territorial emergency management officials.
During an emergency, ISC provides advice and support within its mandate and authority as requested by the affected First Nation and province or territory. After the emergency, the Government of Canada reimburses the province, territory, First Nation or service delivery partner for eligible costs associated with emergency response and recovery.
In the event of property or critical infrastructure damage in a community, ISC works with the chief and council to assess the situation, determine the most effective way to repair damage and ensure ongoing program and service delivery to the community. ISC remains in contact with the First Nation until the situation has been thoroughly assessed.
First Nations community members' responsibilities
Community members should make every effort to protect their health, safety and personal property during emergencies. Public Safety Canada's Get Prepared website for emergency preparedness suggests being ready to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours during an emergency if you are able to remain in your home. Even when evacuations are expected, First Nation community members should be prepared to take care of their immediate needs for 72 hours in case of delays or unforeseen circumstances.
First Nations communities' responsibilities
Effective emergency management starts at the local level. ISC strongly encourages First Nation communities to develop and implement emergency management plans. Project funding is available for First Nations to develop their own emergency management plans and other preparedness and non-structural mitigation initiatives and can apply through EMAP.
When there is an actual or impending emergency that could threaten life, property or the environment, the chief and council are responsible for using all available local resources to respond. They are also responsible for notifying ISC and provincial or territorial emergency management officials if a threat is beyond their community's response capacity.
Emergency management service delivery partners' responsibilities
To support First Nations people get the emergency assistance they need, EMAP works with emergency management service delivery partners such as: First Nations communities, provincial and territorial governments and non-government organizations.
Service delivery partners should make sure their services:
- meet the needs of First Nations
- are culturally-relevant
- address the needs of those facing greater barriers
Our Culturally-Relevant Emergency Management Services toolkit can help partners do this by identifying the needs of marginalized groups monitoring the services provided to First Nations and analysing and addressing any potential shortcomings.
The toolkit includes:
- the Interim Service Standards for Culturally-Relevant Emergency Management Services
- the After Action Report Guidelines and Template
Organisations may already conduct similar lessons learned activities under a variety of titles, such as hotwashes, debriefs and after action sessions. This toolkit is not meant to replace such activities, but to support service providers through the reflection and reporting process.
More information
For additional information on emergency management, please contact:
Email: aadnc.infopubs.aandc@canada.ca
Phone: (toll-free) 1-800-567-9604
Fax: 1-866-817-3977
TTY: (toll-free) 1-866-553-0554