Orientation to the Ministry Emergency Response Plan (MERP) Sample Orientation Presentation: Emergency Response Plan Note: This was developed for staff in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Confidential content has been removed. The presentation will require adaptation for use with board of health officials and staff.

2Outline Context of the Ministry Emergency Response Plan (MERP) MERP Organization Training and Exercises Executive Emergency Management Committee (EEMC) Divisional Responsibilities

3 MERP Online Go to Intranet Site Click Emergency Information button Select Ministry Emergency Response Plan Alternatively: Public Website Address: p/emerg_resp_plan.html p/emerg_resp_plan.html

4 Context of MERP Provincial Emergency Response Plan (PERP)  Overall plan for emergency response maintained by Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) Ministry Emergency Response Plans (MERPs)  Required by the Emergency Management Act, R.S.O for ministries with responsibilities assigned by Order in Council (OIC)  Consistent with PERP  MOHLTC OIC Responsibilities: → “Human health, disease and epidemics; health services during an emergency” Incident-specific sub-plans  Created based on OIC Responsibilities  E.g. Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP)

5 MERP Organization 2 Sections:  Background – detailed explanation of concepts, principles, organization and resources  Emergency Response – specific roles and responsibilities, actions and procedures during an emergency situation Content  Roles & Responsibilities - E.g. Executive Emergency Management Committee (EEMC), Scientific Response Team (SRT), Divisions  Processes/Protocols - E.g. Notification/Fanout, Important Health Notices  Emergency Response Resources – E.g. Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT), Hospital Contingency Stockpile

6 MERP Organization Appendices – Contain information that will change over time, e.g.  Contact lists  Amendment and distribution lists  Incident-specific sub-plans  MOHLTC Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

7 Training and Exercises Training: Basic Emergency Management (BEM) Course Further training in development (e.g. Incident Management System) MERP Orientation for all SMGs (Oct. 31 to Dec. 15) Exercises: Table-top exercises conducted as necessary/required One full-scale exercise each year (nuclear exercise) EMU coordinates emergency response exercises for healthcare providers in conjunction with EMAT and first responders Necessary to test the MERP, identify gaps and work to resolve them

8 Executive Emergency Management Committee (EEMC) What is the EEMC? Central strategic decision-making body for the ministry Provides policy and operational direction to the Ministry Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC) Also known as the Ministry Action Group (MAG) in the PERP How is the EEMC called? Activated and chaired by the Deputy Minister What happens during the first meeting? Update on status of incident Confirm level of activation and actions at the MEOC and PEOC Identify who needs to be engaged, follow-up actions, etc. Establish communications messaging

9 Divisional Responsibilities Alert/Warning  Divisions may receive warning of an emergency and notify the Emergency Management Unit (EMU) (e.g. Regional Offices) Notification/Fan-out  Senior managers and divisional emergency management contacts are contacted through an automatic notification system – timely response is crucial  Each division should have an internal communication system, including an up-to-date fan-out list and stakeholder contact information Divisional Roles and Responsibilities at Enhanced Monitoring  Detailed procedures for each division outlined in “swim lanes” document Business Continuity  Divisions should be prepared to activate COOP Plans in response to a business interruption