Emergency management isn’t just a provincial or federal responsibility. Communities and their residents have crucial roles to play before, during and after a crisis.
Municipalities and incorporated areas are the first lines of defence when disaster strikes. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, local emergencies measures organizations and other community groups have the skills, training and experience to manage most emergencies.
Under the Emergency Measures Act, all incorporated areas in New Brunswick are required to have an emergency preparedness plan and exercise the plan annually. Click here to see a list which municipalities have an emergency preparedness plan.
There are times, however, when the scale of a crisis surpasses a community’s resources. Once an emergency exceeds a municipal government’s ability to manage the situation, the province is asked to help.
NBEMO divides the province into 12 zones and each has a regional emergency management coordinator. The coordinators help support local authorities and first responders in their work, and coordinate local and provincial efforts to improve planning and response during emergencies.
See the map below to find your regional emergency management coordinator.