Declaring a State of Emergency

The declaration of a state of local emergency enables local authorities to exercise emergency powers such as:

• ordering the evacuation of residents from their homes,
• prohibiting travel and accessing private property when an emergency threatens lives, property or the environment within their jurisdiction.

Elected officials such as a municipal mayor or regional district chair can declare a state of local emergency in response to an emergency or disaster at a moment’s notice.  

The use of a declaration order is directly linked to the immediacy of an emergency situation and intended to be used by the local government to effectively respond to the emergency. 


There are Three Stages to an Evacuation Order: 

Stage 1: Evacuation Alert 

This is intended to alert the population of an impending danger. Residents should evaluate which items should be removed from homes or businesses. 'Persons at risk' should be moved to safer areas. Non-essential traffic should be discouraged.

Stage 2: Evacuation Order

LEAVE THE AREA NOW!!

An Evacuation Order will include specific areas that are affected. Access to restricted areas will be enforced.

Emergency officials will know where emergency shelters are located should include and residents will be directed to register upon arrival.

THE EVACUATION ORDER WILL BE ENFORCED BY THE POLICE 

Evacuation orders remain in effect until officially rescinded.

Stage 3: Rescind

When the emergency which necessitated the evacuation is under control and the hazard/ emergency zone is declared safe (habitable), a rescind of the Evacuation Order will be implemented.

The Rescind Order will advise the population at risk that the danger may reoccur and that an ALERT or ORDER may be reinstated, if this happens the process recommences from Stage 1.