A three-year strategic plan is the first key and significant outcome out of the first year of the regional emergency management partnership (REMP) between the Province and the Capital Regional District (CRD).

The REMP steering committee endorsed its first strategic plan on Feb. 20, 2017, which outlines goals, targets and strategies for the next three years with three priority areas of focus:

1. Understanding regional emergencies, hazards and vulnerabilities to support loss prevention, mitigation and preparedness;
2. Planning for collaborative emergency response, business continuity and disaster recovery by regional partners; and
3. Enhancing the REMP’s governance, capabilities and efficiency.

The strategic planning process included input from partnership members, REMP staff and stakeholders who are contributing to the emergency management needs of the region, and was collected through facilitated workshops, stakeholder consultation and follow-up discussions. The REMP will now draft a three-year operational plan that aligns with the REMP’s strategic goals.

The REMP promotes increased co-ordination, co-operation, collaboration, capacity and integration between all levels of government during all phases of emergency management: planning and preparedness; response; recovery and mitigation. It also enhances emergency preparedness, public education and common public messaging for each of the key hazards the region may face, and will strengthen regional information sharing, communications, and joint planning, training and exercises.

The REMP embodies a collaborative approach to regional emergency planning – in this case, a unified approach between the CRD, municipalities and the Province, working together in the case of a multi-jurisdictional, regional or multi-site emergency.

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness –

“This regional partnership continues to improve co-operation and foster collaboration and co-ordination for emergency management delivery in the capital region. I applaud the REMP and leadership of CRD chair Barbara Desjardins and the board in moving this initiative forward and look forward to future improvements for the safety and well-being of those living in and visiting the Capital Region in years to come.”

Barbara Desjardins, CRD chair –

“We know that a large scale emergency such as an earthquake knows no boundaries. By working with the Province, local governments and First Nations, the CRD is proud to help create a safer community that is resilient and prepared to respond within our region as a whole.”

Quick Facts:

• The REMP is responsible for co-ordinating regional emergency management planning within the CRD and through the partnership, the CRD and the Province are each providing resources in a 50/50 partnership to work with the CRD municipalities and electoral areas to prepare for emergencies or disasters that are multi-jurisdictional or impact the entire region.
• Other key outcomes from the first year of the REMP are:
  • Establishment of the REMP staffing positions (one with EMBC and one with CRD);
  • Establishment of the REMP Steering Committee;
  • Research and review of emergency management activity undertaken by local governments and CRD;
  • Outreach to local governments on regional emergency management issues;
  • Outreach to First Nations to socialize the concept of the regional partnership, discuss their engagement with the partnership and further enhance emergency management collaboration.
• The REMP is modelled after the success of the Integrated Partnership for Regional Emergency Management (IPREM) group, an intergovernmental partnership between the Province of British Columbia and Metro Vancouver (on behalf of the 23 local authorities).

Learn more:

Capital Regional District: https://www.crd.bc.ca/

Emergency Management BC: http://bit.ly/1QugwCN

Prepare Yourself: http://ow.ly/FTEb309UI6A