On November 8, 2023, the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) came into force, replacing the Emergency Program Act.
The updated legislation reflects the realities of the modern world including global pandemics, security threats, climate change, and shifts from focusing on emergency response to the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The new EDMA incorporates the principles of the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and reflects key policy shifts informed by best practices in emergency management, partner engagement, and consultation and cooperation with First Nations.
The EDMA has several implications for local authorities in British Columbia:
Enhanced Preparedness: Local authorities are now responsible for comprehensive emergency management, including mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery. They must adapt their plans and resources accordingly.
Indigenous Engagement: The EDMA emphasizes Indigenous engagement. Local governments need to collaborate with Indigenous communities during all phases of emergency management.
Response and Recovery Powers: The EDMA introduces changes relating to authorized decision makers, as well as how and when powers can be exercised.
Alignment: Local authorities must align their emergency management practices with the new regulations that will be developed under the EDMA. These regulations will cover areas such as financial assistance and local authority emergency management.
New Funding Opportunities: The Indigenous Engagement Requirements Funding Program provides financial support for local governments to meet Indigenous engagement requirements.
BC has, and continues to be, hard hit with concurrent disasters across the province. It is heartening to see EMCR stepping up and taking such a proactive and collaborative approach to emergency management. It’s well past time to leverage the learnings and lived experiences of BC’s diverse responders – from First Nations and Indigenous communities; first responders, government and public agencies; to our private sector partners – there is so much knowledge and experience in the province. We can only improve when people start talking and getting on the same page. And of course, CDRO is here to help. Kyla Burtyn, Director of Advisory Services, CDRO.
New guidance and informational materials about the EDMA, and other meaningful emergency response tools and resources are being added on a regular basis to Modernized emergency management legislation - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca). Subscribe to be notified when new materials are added.
Stay tuned for Part Two, including CDRO’s insights on the recently released EDMA: What We Heard Report 2024.
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