Introduction

An emergency is defined as a situation or impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise.^{footnote 1[1]} Emergency management is defined as organized activities undertaken to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from actual or potential emergencies.^{footnote 2[2]}

Emergency Management Ontario is dedicated in its efforts to work with partners by supporting, monitoring, and coordinating where possible, to ensure an effective and efficient emergency management program is in place in order to protect life, property, infrastructure, and the environment, and to maintain continuity of operations and services. As part of its emergency management program, EMO strives to develop and implement evolving and advanced strategies that are founded in international best practices and recommendations.