Pat Quealey

14-­‐10-­‐15 Preparing for BC’s Catastrophic Earthquake:
Unity of effort in the face of adversity
Pat Quealey
Assistant Deputy Minister EMBC
Union of BC Municipalities
September 22, 2014 Presentation Outline
Purpose: To describe what EMBC is doing to improve BC’s
earthquake preparedness
Scope:
Ø   Strategic context
Ø   Planning so far
Ø   Next steps
1 14-­‐10-­‐15 Strategic Plan
2014-2017 - MISSION
Emergency Management British Columbia is responsible to
British Columbians for leading the management of
provincial level emergencies and disasters and supporting
other authorities within their areas of jurisdiction.
h"p://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/Emerg_Mgmt_BC/EMBC-­‐
Strategic-­‐Plan.pdf Strategic Plan
2014-2017 - GOALS
1.   EMBC is a learning organization with a culture of continuous
improvement
2.   EMBC is expert in leading the management of catastrophic
disasters of provincial significance and impact
3.   EMBC is effective in supporting other responsible authorities in
their mandate to mitigate and manage emergencies and
disasters
4.   EMBC excels in the provision of the Office of the Fire
Commissioner’s and BC Coroner Service’s unique services
5.   EMBC empowers and strengthens volunteer organizations
2 14-­‐10-­‐15 EMBC Initiatives
•   Emergency warning and alerting
Ø  Updating the Provincial Emergency Notification System
(PENS)
•   Enhanced public education
Ø  Developing a public education strategy
EMBC Initiatives Con’t
•   Logistics capacity within EMBC
Ø  Forming a logistics team
Ø  Provincial level management of resources
•   Catastrophic earthquake planning
Ø  Dedicated BC Earthquake Planning Team
3 14-­‐10-­‐15 Earthquake Planning Focus
Threat area is BC’s major population and infrastructure centres:
Ø   Greater Vancouver/Lower Fraser Valley
Ø   Southern Vancouver Island
Ø   Operational Area includes all of BC and key lines of
communications into BC
Rationale:
Ø   Population density/number impacted
Ø   Effect on seat of government
Ø   Economic importance
Ø   Key transportation hub
Earthquake Multi-Year Roadmap
March 2014 March 2015
Immediate Response Plan March 2016
March 2017 4 Lines of OperaDons with 19 Work Components Sustained Response Plan Recovery Planning 4 14-­‐10-­‐15 Intent of Immediate Response
TO
•   implement a unified Provincial Concept of
Operations
BY
•   engaging federal, provincial and local authorities,
First Nations, NGOs and the private sector
TO
•   conduct effective response activities throughout the
operational area which includes all of BC and
adjoining jurisdictions
Immediate Response Phase - Planning
Command, Control and Coordination
Logistics and Support
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
Develop Command and Control Framework
Develop Communications Matrix
Develop Information Management Process
Develop Provincial Declaration Powers Matrix
Develop Reconnaissance Plan
Develop Decision Support Process for Prioritization of Resources
Review and Update Request for Assistance packages
Develop Initial Damage Assessment Framework
Develop Decision Support Framework for CI Restoration Prioritization
Confirm Canadian & International SAR Deployment Processes
Develop Volunteer Convergence Framework
•   Identify Critical Transportation Routes
•   Develop Logistics Movement System
Essential Human Services
•   Develop Mass Care Framework
•   Confirm Health Care Plans
•   Confirm Mass Casualty
Strategic Communications
•   Develop and Deliver Public Education Campaign
•   Develop Key Public Information Messaging
•   Develop inter-agency Media Communications Plan
5 14-­‐10-­‐15 Notional Concept of Operations
Potential
Support
Staging
from
International
Area of Impact
PotenDal Provincial Staging Area
Airport Rail Node Helicopter Support
Marine Support
Major Highway
TransportaDon Route
Areas
and
Domestic and
Partners
Unity of Effort - Planning Partners
(so far)
Ministry of
Transport
Canadian Red
Cross
BC
Housing
Public Safety
Canada &
GOC
Integrated
Disaster Council
of BC
Natural
Resources
Canada
Ministry of
Health
Department of
National Defence
Emergency
Management BC
Local
Authorities
First
Responders
Earthquake
Planning
Partners
First Nations
6 14-­‐10-­‐15 Conclusion Ø   Local authorities are critical to our emergency
management success.
Ø   Communication and updates forthcoming as the BC
Earthquake Immediate Response Plan continues to be
built.
Ø   Focus on catastrophic preparedness is an opportunity
for strengthening our collective resiliency.
Thank You
Pat Quealey
Assistant Deputy Minister EMBC
Pat.Quealey@gov.bc.ca
www.embc.gov.bc.ca
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