The role of Emergency Management Ontario

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA), Emergency Management Ontario (EMO), a division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General is the organization mandated to monitor, coordinate, and assist with the development and implementation of emergency management programs in Ontario, and for ensuring the coordination of these programs with the federal government. This special coordination role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Maintain the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Coordinate provincial emergency response and recovery, when required.
• Provide advice and assistance to communities^{footnote 3[3]} and ministries in all areas of emergency management which is accomplished by:
  • Developing, providing, and/or coordinating training.
  • Coordinating, to the extent possible, with public and private partners via the Ontario Critical Infrastructure Assurance Program.
  • Developing and coordinating a public education program.
• Manage and operate the Alert Ready emergency alerting system in Ontario.
• Maintain several provincial-level emergency response and continuity of operations plans.