FES-NL assists, as requested, with the management of an emergency in partnership with local authorities in the affected area. It is also the agency of government that is responsible for dealing with any large scale emergency or disaster occurring in and around the province. Under its legislative framework, FES-NL has the responsibility to coordinate and/or manage an emergency situation; this includes the coordination of multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional emergency response.
FES-NL assists local governments, emergency responders, provincial government departments, the public, the private sector and non-governmental organizations in raising the collective capacity of emergency preparedness to a point where all types of emergencies can be met with a prompt and effective response. This is achieved through emergency preparedness activities, the creation and maintenance of emergency management plans, and evaluating and participating in emergency exercises. It also includes the development and maintenance of a provincial emergency management plan. It should be noted that effective May 1, 2012 all municipalities and the Province were required by legislation to have an emergency management plan in place.
FES-NL provides a 24/7 on-call service to assist provincial police services (RNC and RCMP) in search and rescue activities. This service is in the form of authorizing air services support for lost and missing persons. These air services are also utilized by FES-NL during emergency response/recovery activities.
FES-NL operates a 24/7 on-call system through a contracted answering service. This service answers incoming emergency calls which are then directed to on call staff. Calls are received from local governments related to a potential emergency or those experiencing an event that requires the attention of or assistance from FES-NL; other government departments providing information or seeking advice/support from FES-NL; and Environment Canada with weather related bulletins or warnings.
The Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) is a federal government program administered by FES-NL which provides financial contributions of up to 50% for emergency related equipment and services for approved projects. This program is open to municipalities that have an approved emergency management plan and the municipality has to provide the remainder of the funds to cover the costs of the project. [Note: JEPP ends in FY 2012-13 and those with approved projects have already been notified].
FES-NL is responsible for the administration of the federal government’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) when the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador authorizes a provincial disaster financial assistance program (NL-DFAP) in response to a specific emergency or adverse weather event. This program provides financial assistance related to disaster recovery in accordance with the federal DFAA guidelines for eligible events.
FES-NL facilitates the maintenance of the Provincial Government’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and program through ongoing collaborative and supportive services to provincial government departments and agencies.
FES-NL maintains a self-contained, self-sufficient Emergency Operations Center to enable FES-NL and other government departments and agencies to coordinate the response to and recovery from emergencies or disasters that may impact the province.