Emergency Measures Organization

The purpose of emergency management is to save lives, preserve the environment and protect property and the economy. Under the authority of the Emergency Measures Act, the Prince Edward Island Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is responsible to coordinate and manage emergency management activities.

The All Hazards Emergency Plan is the basic coordination plan for response to all types of non-routine emergencies within the Province. It outlines how a provincial response to a major emergency or disaster is coordinated.

There are four phases of emergency management

  • Prevention/Mitigation – efforts to reduce or eliminate impacts from an emergency
  • Preparedness - actions to limit the potential impact or results of an emergency
  • Response – actions to deal with the emergency as it unfolds
  • Recovery - activities to help things return to normal after an emergency

We all have a role to play

There are four levels of response in an emergency:

Individual

Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency. It doesn't take long to get prepared but being prepared can make a world of difference in an emergency. Businesses are considered an individual.

Municipal

Most emergencies that occur in a municipality are managed by local resources, e.g. a fire can be contained by the local fire department, municipalities can usually call upon neighbouring municipalities for mutual aid assistance when needed.

The Municipal Government Act now mandates municipalities to have an approved Municipal Emergency Management Program in place. This program must include at a minimum:

  • A copy of the Municipal By-law
  • The Municipal Emergency Management Plan
  • A Delegation of Authority
  • Plans for training and exercising
  • Any other component required by the PEI Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), i.e. Hazard, Risk Analysis.

The Municipal Emergency Management Guide will provide municipalities with assistance in developing their Municipal Emergency Management Program.

Get more information on Emergency Management Program Bylaw.

Provincial

On behalf of the province, EMO provides assistance and coordination for an emergency response when requested by a municipality or in a province-wide emergency.

Federal

The federal government steps in when requested by the province, or when the emergency impacts areas of federal jurisdiction such as floods or fires on federal lands, national health emergencies, national security, or a declared national emergency.

Where can I get information on safety during storms?

It only takes one damaging storm to make this a bad year. You can take to help keep yourself, your family and your property safe before and during extreme weather events such as blizzards, hurricanes or ice storms.

What training is available through EMO?

Training and education is an important part of emergency planning. EMO offers a variety of courses including:

  • Basic Emergency Management
  • Emergency Public Information Awareness
  • Emergency Operations Centre Management
  • Exercise Design
  • Incident Command System 100, 200 and 300

For more information regarding training with PEI EMO, please visit Emergency Management Training Courses

Can someone come speak to our community group or organization?

Public Safety Officers are available to speak to your community or service group, municipal organization, or business about corporate, municipal or personal emergency preparedness. There is no charge for this service. For more information contact EMO.

How can I contact EMO?

Telephone: (902) 894-0385

Toll free: 1-877-894-0385

Fax: (902) 368-6362

By email: emo@gov.pe.ca

By mail:

Suite 600, 134 Kent Street
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 8R8

For emergency assistance after hours through the PEI Emergency Measures Organization, call: 902-892-9365 or toll free 1-888-294-9909
Published date: 
June 2, 2023