Orientation to the Ministry Emergency Response Plan (MERP)

1. Orientation to the Ministry Emergency Response Plan (MERP) Sample Orientation Presentation: Emergency Response Plan Note: This was developed for staff in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Confidential content has been removed. The presentation will require adaptation for use with board of health officials and staff.

2. Outline • Context of the Ministry Emergency Response Plan (MERP) • MERP Organization • Training and Exercises • Executive Emergency Management Committee (EEMC) • Divisional Responsibilities

3. MERP Online • Go to Intranet Site • Click Emergency Information button • Select Ministry Emergency Response Plan Alternatively: • Public Website Address: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/emu/emerg_prep/emerg_resp_plan.html

4. Context of MERP • Provincial Emergency Response Plan (PERP) • Overall plan for emergency response maintained by Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) • Ministry Emergency Response Plans (MERPs) • Required by the Emergency Management Act, R.S.O. 1990 for ministries with responsibilities assigned by Order in Council (OIC) • Consistent with PERP • MOHLTC OIC Responsibilities: • “Human health, disease and epidemics; health services during an emergency” • Incident-specific sub-plans • Created based on OIC Responsibilities • E.g. Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP)

5. MERP Organization • 2 Sections: • Background – detailed explanation of concepts, principles, organization and resources • Emergency Response – specific roles and responsibilities, actions and procedures during an emergency situation • Content • Roles & Responsibilities - E.g. Executive Emergency Management Committee (EEMC), Scientific Response Team (SRT), Divisions • Processes/Protocols - E.g. Notification/Fanout, Important Health Notices • Emergency Response Resources – E.g. Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT), Hospital Contingency Stockpile

6. MERP Organization • Appendices – Contain information that will change over time, e.g. • Contact lists • Amendment and distribution lists • Incident-specific sub-plans • MOHLTC Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

7. Training and Exercises • Training: • Basic Emergency Management (BEM) Course • Further training in development (e.g. Incident Management System) • MERP Orientation for all SMGs (Oct. 31 to Dec. 15) • Exercises: • Table-top exercises conducted as necessary/required • One full-scale exercise each year (nuclear exercise) • EMU coordinates emergency response exercises for healthcare providers in conjunction with EMAT and first responders • Necessary to test the MERP, identify gaps and work to resolve them

8. Executive Emergency Management Committee (EEMC) • What is the EEMC? • Central strategic decision-making body for the ministry • Provides policy and operational direction to the Ministry Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC) • Also known as the Ministry Action Group (MAG) in the PERP • How is the EEMC called? • Activated and chaired by the Deputy Minister • What happens during the first meeting? • Update on status of incident • Confirm level of activation and actions at the MEOC and PEOC • Identify who needs to be engaged, follow-up actions, etc. • Establish communications messaging

9. Divisional Responsibilities • Alert/Warning • Divisions may receive warning of an emergency and notify the Emergency Management Unit (EMU) (e.g. Regional Offices) • Notification/Fan-out • Senior managers and divisional emergency management contacts are contacted through an automatic notification system – timely response is crucial • Each division should have an internal communication system, including an up-to-date fan-out list and stakeholder contact information • Divisional Roles and Responsibilities at Enhanced Monitoring • Detailed procedures for each division outlined in “swim lanes” document • Business Continuity • Divisions should be prepared to activate COOP Plans in response to a business interruption