2013 Ice Storm Saturday, December 21, 2013 - freezing rain lasted for several hours Weight of the ice on trees and limbs caused significant damage to power lines
2013 Ice Storm Emergency Operations Centre was active for 11 days Full power restoration took approximately 10 days
Emergency Social Services Response The City coordinated single largest Emergency Social Services response in its history Simultaneously opened and operated 13 emergency reception centres 13 Toronto Police facilities as community warming centres Canadian Red Cross deployed over 300 disaster response volunteers working 24/7 across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto alone: Red Cross assisted 3,167 people, delivered more than 1,000 cots and blankets, delivered more than 2,000 hygiene kits, and provided more than 18,000 meals.
Service Enhancements After action review and directives from City Council generated recommendations for service improvements Minimum training requirements for all identified Emergency Operations Centre staff: Training program being revamped - position based focus, in addition to standard IMS
Service Enhancements Minimum staffing levels for the Emergency Operations Centre for large-scale responses 5-deep staffing plan to ensure redundancy Implementation of EOC Software DisasterLAN Ongoing identification and training of staff from multiple city divisions to ensure adequate, skilled personnel are available to staff the Emergency Operations Centre
Communications Protocols Assign sufficient resources to support social media communication: Doubled the size of the EOC s Strategic Communications hub Improved EOC technology Establish Councillor Liaison position in the Emergency Operations Centre assist with community level issues: Embedded position within Command Councillor Coordination Emergency Support Function
Community Outreach Improvements to the city's Emergency Social Service response capabilities through greater community engagement with multi-faith and other community groups - better outreach to vulnerable population: Survey of community organizations pre-identify capacity for assistance during emergencies Private property management companies High-rise specific public education Translation of educational materials
Emergency Social Services - Changes Work with community organizations and the Local Health Integration Network(s) to address supports for vulnerable populations / access to care at all emergency reception centres Determine staffing for large scale Emergency Social Services Responses Ensure appropriate security, including trained staff or volunteers, to help address potential situations of conflicts and mental health Pre-identify reception centre sites and complete advance preparations for response
Emergency Social Service - Changes Emergency Social Service Delivery Site Response
Emergency Social Services - Changes Canadian Red Cross - 24/7 Dispatch Staff - 1 Dedicated Response Coordinator - 2 Preparedness Coordinators - 400 GTA volunteers
Emergency Social Services - Changes Reception Centre Organizational Structure ESS Incident Commander EOC Liaison (OEM Coordinator) Safety Emergency Information (Strategic Communications) Operations Reception Centre Services Manager (Canadian Red Cross) Operations Specialized Services Manager (City) Planning (OEM) Logistics (PFR Lead) Meet & Greet Registration & Inquiry First Aid Health & Special Needs Transportation Psychosocial Documentation Demobilization Facilities Maintenance Security Information Technology Food, Clothing, Hygiene, Lodging Family Reunification Multi-Culture and Language Animal Care Recreation Financial Assessment Staff Management Admin Office
Emergency Social Services - Changes Training for Reception Centre Staff Starting with 4 preidentified City operated recreation centres Training focuses on role of Parks Forestry Recreation staff including facility and recreation
Emergency Social Services - Changes Training for Specialized Services in Reception Centres Under development Likely will include staff from: Office of Emergency Management Shelter Support & Housing Administration Social Development & Finance Administration Toronto Children s Services Toronto Employment & Social Services Toronto Public Library
Emergency Social Services - Changes Training for Command (Management of Reception Centre) Under development Likely will include staff from: Office of Emergency Management Parks Forestry Recreation Shelter Support & Housing Administration Social Development & Finance Administration Toronto Children s Services Toronto Employment & Social Services Toronto Public Library
Emergency Social Services Vulnerable Populations Specialized Services in Reception Centres Focus on barriers to service based on vulnerabilities identified through registration and throughout the response Health and Special Needs focus on health organizations. Council direction to work with 5 Local Health Integration Networks Other community groups fit in via Multiculture and Language
Emergency Social Services Vulnerable Populations Delivering Services Directly to Vulnerable Populations Wellness checks part of the agreement with the Canadian Red Cross. City Council said no to Vulnerable Persons Registry University of Waterloo InterRAI: 70 80 % of Torontonians with risk conditions are already in existing databases
Emergency Social Services Vulnerable Populations Partnerships with 311 Toronto and 211 to connect vulnerable callers who are sheltering at home with the social services or health care supports they need.
Questions/ Discussion Brad Eyre Manager, Planning Office of Emergency Management 703 Don Mills Road, 6 th Floor Toronto, ON M3C 3N3 beyre@toronto.ca Sheryl Pollock Emergency Management Coordinator Office of Emergency Management 703 Don Mills Road, 6 th Floor Toronto, ON M3C 3N3 spolloc1@toronto.ca
Questions / Discussion? Brad Eyre Manager, Planning Office of Emergency Management 703 Don Mills Road, 6 th Floor Toronto, ON M3C 3N3 beyre@toronto.ca Sheryl Pollock Emergency Management Coordinator Office of Emergency Management 703 Don Mills Road, 6 th Floor Toronto, ON M3C 3N3 spolloc1@toronto.ca