Emergency Management Program and Plan The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is committed to excellence in promoting and protecting health and preventing disease and injury.  We work with individuals, families, communities, and external agencies to achieve this goal. Occasionally, an event occurs which threatens the health, safety, and welfare of a community.  These events require a controlled and coordinated response by a number of agencies, including the health unit.  Our Emergency Management Team and public health staff work closely with community partners to coordinate our services and resources to assist with the management of an emergency.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Emergency Management Program

The health unit’s Emergency Management Team oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of the health unit’s Emergency Management Program.  This team works with internal staff and community partners to develop public health emergency response plans and to ensure that our agency provides a comprehensive emergency management program.

Emergency Response Plan

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Emergency Response Plan outlines the agency’s plan for organizing and deploying health unit staff and resources to minimize the health risk to the community in the event of an emergency.

The primary goals of the plan are:

1. To minimize the health risk to the community in the event of an emergency.
2. To establish the role of the health unit in an emergency.
3. To coordinate with other external partners including municipalities, health care providers, health and social service agencies, and government ministries.
4. To describe the responsibilities of each service area and agency staff in an emergency.

After Hours Emergency On-Call Response

The Health Unit maintains a 24/7 response capability to respond to Public Health Emergencies.  This system is staffed by an on-call Senior Public Health Inspector (PHI) and a Communicable Disease (CD) Investigator.  Calls are initially received through a central call message centre and streamed through to either the on-call Senior PHI or CD Investigator.

After-hours public health emergencies can be reported by calling our Message Centre at: 1 (888) 225-7851.

Legislation

Actions taken during an emergency are guided by a provincial legislative framework which provides municipalities and emergency response agencies with the authority to carry out appropriate responses to manage the situation.

The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act provides the framework for emergency planning and preparedness in Ontario.

The Health Protection and Promotion Act gives the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) the authority to take appropriate action in the event of a health hazard to prevent, eliminate, or decrease the effect of the hazard within the community.  It also provides the authority to take actions to reduce risks associated with Communicable Diseases (e.g. SARS or Pandemic Influenza).

Emergency Management Structure

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit uses an Emergency Management Structure to facilitate the management of public health emergencies.  This framework is utilized once the Medical Officer of Health, or designate, determines that the agency’s emergency response plan must be activated.  Activation of the plan is determined by the extent of the emergency and its impact on public health.

In an emergency that will have a significant impact on public health, the health unit activates its Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).  Key public health staff meet at a designated EOC to determine the nature of the emergency, delegate responsibilities, and coordinate a response.

The health unit’s Emergency Control Group is responsible for managing the unit's response during an emergency as well as recovery following the event.  This group can quickly mobilize staff and equipment to coordinate the health unit's services in order to control and mitigate the harmful effects of the emergency.

This Emergency Control Group consists of the following individuals:

Medical Officer of Health/Associate Medical Officer of Health, or designate
Director of Health Protection
Director of Healthy Living
Director of Clinical Service
Director of Family Health
Director of Corporate Service
Associate Director of Corporate Service
Support Staff

Review

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Plan is reviewed and revised annually by the Emergency Management Team.  Annual tests of the plan, or portions of it, are conducted to determine its strengths and deficiencies.

The health unit works in cooperation with local municipalities to test their municipal Emergency Response plans.  The health unit also participates in planned table top exercises and live tactical emergency simulations.

Recent large scale exercises or tactical simulations include:

Operation Water Blast - September 2008
Operation Deep Chill - February 2007
Operation Fever Phix – December 2006