Before an Emergency

You can protect members of your household by learning more about hazards and emergencies and by taking proper precautions. Make sure that your household is prepared.

Who does what in an emergency?

When it comes to emergency preparedness and emergency management, we all have a role to play.

Individuals and families

You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency. You should also understand the basic principles of first aid and safety.

Every disaster is a local disaster. Different levels of organizations respond progressively as an emergency escalates and their resources are needed. The first ones to respond are closest to the emergency.

First Responders - i.e. fire, police, paramedics

Local fire, police, paramedics, and search and rescue teams are normally the first to respond to an emergency. They are responsible for managing most local emergencies as part of the municipal emergency plan.

Non-government organizations

There are several non-profit, non-government organizations (NGOs) that play very important roles in emergency management, including disaster prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Some examples include the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, The Salvation Army, Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada and Team Rubicon Canada. They work in closely with governments to help people in Canada deal with emergencies, from providing first aid training to disaster relief. Learn more about these NGOs.

Provincial and territorial governments

Every province and territory has an emergency management organization (EMO), which manages large-scale emergencies and provides assistance to municipal or community response teams as required. EMOs fulfill an important role in support of first responders and municipalities. Learn more about your EMO.

Federal government

Federal departments and agencies support provincial or territorial EMOs as requested. They also manage emergencies that involve areas of federal jurisdiction, such as nuclear safety, national defence, and border security. Learn more about federal emergency management.

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