Helping the City and its residents prepare for and deal with major emergencies and disasters is the primary purpose of Toronto’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
Toronto’s OEM is the coordinating agency for emergency and disaster activities as part of the City's Emergency Management Program. OEM staff work closely with members of Toronto's Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Public Health, and Shelter, Support and Housing to manage emergency situations.
As a coordinating body, the OEM works in partnership with lead agencies to:
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develop programs, plans and capabilities to prevent disasters, if possible, and reduce the vulnerability of Torontonians to potential disasters;
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organize and coordinate emergency response when disasters and emergencies occur, including first responders such as Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services;
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coordinate and implement recovery plans in the event of extensive damage or other debilitating effects on life within the community.
Key responsibilities of the OEM include:
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ensuring that a trained municipal emergency workforce is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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developing and maintaining Toronto’s Emergency Plan (PDF)
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maintaining an Emergency Operations Centre to centralize and coordinate planning and communications during an event
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maintaining an inventory of critical infrastructure, such as gas pipes and water lines
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raising public awareness of emergency planning and preparedness.
Toronto's Emergency Response Team
As the coordinator of emergency plans and preparedness, the OEM works to organize and coordinate the City’s emergency response in partnership with the City's emergency response teams:
OEM staff also work with other agencies/businesses that may play a key role during an emergency including Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), school boards and utilities companies.
Toronto’s Emergency Plan
Toronto’s comprehensive Emergency Plan reflects best practices in the emergency management field and covers five key areas: Risk Identification, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Learn more about Toronto’s Emergency Plan (PDF).
Are you prepared? An important message for residents
Residents play an important role in ensuring their own safety and comfort during an emergency. By creating your own emergency plan and emergency survival kit in advance, you can be prepared and respond quickly and effectively to an emergency. Learn how to create your own emergency plan and emergency kit today (PDF).
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