Atlantic region emergency management plan

Geographical overview

Coastlines: The region boasts an extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, exposing it to risks such as storm surges, coastal erosion, and potential hurricanes. The vulnerability of coastal communities to rising sea levels and extreme weather events necessitates robust emergency preparedness. In addition to proximity to marine shoreline, communities and essential infrastructure is often located on or near low-lying areas including a critical link, the Tantramar Marsh between Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. This area is also the primary location of the ISC Atlantic Regional Office, located in Amherst, Nova Scotia.

As a coastal region, fisheries and aquaculture are major industries in the 4 Atlantic provinces. Many First Nations in the region actively participate in these economic sectors which are vulnerable to natural emergencies.

Rivers: Numerous rivers crisscross the landscape, presenting risks of flooding during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt. Managing riverine emergencies requires coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact on communities situated along riverbanks.

Mountains: While the region is not dominated by towering mountain ranges, there are elevated areas, particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador. These areas may experience challenges related to accessibility during emergencies, especially in severe weather conditions.

Dense Urban Areas: Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia and Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John in New Brunswick are major urban centers with their own unique emergency preparedness needs. Urban infrastructure, transportation systems, and large populations necessitate specialized planning for potential incidents.

Epidemiological overview

Chronic Health Conditions: First Nations in Canada experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic disease when compared to the general population, such as but not limited to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Mental health issues and substance use disorder can exacerbate health challenges, adding to the overall pressures faced in the region. Disparities rooted in factors such as poverty, crowded and inadequate housing and food insecurity continue to accelerate chronic illnesses among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people This not only contributes to immediate crises but also fuels long-term health emergencies. Consequently, emergency response strategies need to account for the healthcare needs of individuals with pre-existing conditions during crises.

Aging Population: Atlantic Canada has an aging population, leading to increased healthcare demands, particularly during health emergencies. Specialized care and evacuation plans must be in place to address the needs of vulnerable elderly residents.

Infectious Diseases: The region experiences outbreaks of infectious pathogens at various times. Preparedness for health emergencies includes multimodal strategies for controlling the spread of infection such as ensuring adequate healthcare infrastructure, and supporting vaccination campaigns.

Mental Health: Mental health issues in Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada represent a multifaceted and pressing concern deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors. Historical trauma resulting from colonization, forced assimilation policies, and the residential school system has had profound and lasting impacts on the mental well-being of Indigenous individuals and communities. The disruption of cultural practices, loss of traditional knowledge, and the erosion of community and family structures contribute to a complex web of mental health challenges.

Demographic profile

Indigenous Communities: The region is home to various Indigenous communities including the Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqey, Innu, Inuit and Peskotomuhkati. These communities may have unique cultural, linguistic, and healthcare needs that should be integrated to ensure culturally sensitive and effective responses.

Remote Communities: Some Indigenous communities are in remote areas, posing challenges for timely emergency response. Strategies must be developed to address the logistical complexities associated with providing assistance to these remote regions.

Cultural Competency: Emergency responders must be culturally competent and work closely with Indigenous leaders and communities to develop trust and effective communication channels. Recognizing the autonomy and self-governance of Indigenous Nations is crucial for successful collaboration.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Coastlines and Islands: Newfoundland and Labrador boast rugged coastlines and numerous islands. The presence of numerous small communities in coastal and isolated areas can pose challenges during emergencies.

Harsh Climate: The Province experiences harsh weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and storms. These factors can impact transportation, communication, and infrastructure.

Remote Communities: 2 First Nations in Newfoundland and Labrador are connected by single land highways with a single-entry point. These communities are at elevated risk if these transportation routes are impacted and become impassable. In addition to these 2 communities, the Mushuau Innu First Nation, community of Natuashish is connected via aircraft and seasonal ferry services. Without a highway and being in a remote area impacted often by poor weather conditions, this community has unique preparedness and response needs. In addition, Natuashish is powered by a diesel generator plant that is not connected to a provincial power grid.

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Island Geography: As Canada's only island Province, PEI is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Its small size and relatively flat topography make it vulnerable to storm surges and coastal erosion during severe weather events.

Agricultural Landscape: The island's extensive agricultural areas are susceptible to flooding, which can impact both the economy and food production.

Nova Scotia

Irregular Coastline: Nova Scotia's coastline is characterized by numerous bays and inlets, increasing the vulnerability to storm surges and flooding during hurricanes or other coastal storms.

Dense Urban Areas: Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a major urban center with a dense population. This concentration of people and infrastructure increases the potential impact of emergencies on the community.

New Brunswick

River Systems: New Brunswick is intersected by several major rivers, including the Saint John River (Wolastoq). This river system can lead to flooding, especially during spring thaw or heavy rainfall.

Diverse Geography: The province features a mix of coastal areas, forests, and hills. While this diversity contributes to the region's natural beauty, it also introduces varied emergency risks.

High risk hazards

• Cold Climate Concerns: The northern location of the Atlantic Provinces is exposed to cold temperatures, snowstorms, and ice-related issues, affecting transportation and infrastructure.
• Limited Accessibility: Some areas, especially in Newfoundland and Labrador, can be challenging to access due to the rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions. This can hinder emergency response efforts and evacuation procedures.
• Climate Change: Rising sea levels and increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and storms, threaten coastal communities and infrastructure. Changing ocean temperatures impact fisheries, a critical economic sector in the region, affecting both marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of those dependent on fishing. Warmer temperatures also influence forest ecosystems, potentially leading to shifts in biodiversity and impacting the forestry industry.
• Food Security: Vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communities and low-income households, often face limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Geographic isolation, economic disparities, and seasonal employment patterns contribute to the difficulty of obtaining fresh and diverse food options. Climate change-related disruptions, such as extreme weather events affecting agricultural practices and fisheries, further compound these challenges.
• Blizzard/Ice Storm: These are considered one of the highest risk hazards in the Atlantic region due to their ability to impact both rural and remote communities. Cold temperatures and oceanic conditions can lead to intense winter storms, bringing snowfall, ice, and strong winds. This poses risks to life, property and/or causes serious social disruption. This is compounded with the northern location of the Atlantic Provinces which exposes them to cold temperatures, snowstorms, and ice-related issues, affecting transportation and infrastructure.
• Flash Flood or Flooding: Coastal areas are vulnerable to storm surges, while inland areas can experience riverine and flash flood, especially during heavy rainfall events or rapid snowmelt. Flood is often exacerbated by other events such as hurricanes and poses high risk. Especially with irregular shorelines in Nova Scotia, rising sea levels impacting coastal communities and the erosion of landmass seen particularly in PEI, risk is heightened.
• Hurricane/Post Tropic Storm: Atlantic Canada is prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, and Nor'easters. The season often lasts from June to November. These storms can bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, often cutting off road access or power outages to more remote communities which can lead to complications. Climate change impacts and patterns including sea level rise and altered participation as well as more frequent storms can exacerbate existing hazards.
• Infrastructure Failures: Aging infrastructure may be susceptible to failures such as dam breaches, which can cause flooding. Infrastructure failures such roads swept away in heavy rains, or loss of bridge access can also cause compounding difficulties.
• Heatwave: Heatwaves can be deadly and impacted by other events such as power outages, or infrastructure failures. They can disproportionately impact rural communities, children, and the elderly.
• Avalanche/Landslide: With extensive hilly and coastal areas in Atlantic Canada, the geography can be susceptible to landslides, again exacerbated by heavy precipitation events.
• Inadequate Housing: Many Indigenous communities are challenged with multigenerational housing and overcrowding. Housing can offer essential protection during an emergency. Inadequate housing can also pose risks during an emergency, particularly for those who are unhoused or living in shelters.
• Water Quality Issues: Some Indigenous communities in this region, including First Nations and Inuit populations can, on occasion, face challenges with access to clean and safe drinking water, which has the potential to pose a threat to health and well-being. Despite increased investments in recent years, ageing infrastructure and a lack of fully qualified water operator(s) can lead to potential public health risks and risks to emergency events related to the loss of essential services. A few Indigenous communities contend with geographical isolation, potentially making it logistically challenging to address water quality problems in a timely manner.

Public health hazard

• Communicable Diseases Emergencies (CDE): A CDE is a current or imminent health event a community faces which threatens to overwhelm the public health system. A CDE can be a localized event or a broader event affecting the region. Time can vary based on the impact. Some communities such as those that are rural, remote, may not have the available resources to care for everyone and may need to seek help from other levels of government. CDEs include novel viruses such as COVID-19, and a variety of other pathogens, for example, measles, bacterial meningitis, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections such as syphilis and HIV.
• Food and Water Contamination: Food and water contamination hazards involve the presence of harmful substances in food or drinking water, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or chemicals. These hazards arise from inadequate hygiene, improper handling, and contaminated water sources, posing significant risks to public health. Prevention involves strict adherence to sanitation standards, proper storage, thorough cooking, and regular monitoring of water quality to ensure the safety of both food and water supply chains.
• Environmental Health Hazards: These hazards encompass a range of threats to human well-being arising from the surrounding physical, chemical, and biological factors in our environment. These hazards include air and water pollution, exposure to toxic substances, noise pollution, climate change-related impacts, and vector-borne diseases. Industrial activities, improper waste disposal, deforestation, and the use of harmful chemicals contribute to these risks. The consequences of environmental health hazards can lead to respiratory problems, waterborne illnesses, chronic diseases, and overall degradation of ecosystem health.
• Mental Health and Addictions: Mental health hazards include a range of factors that may adversely affect an individual's psychological well-being. These hazards include emergencies and disasters, chronic stress, traumatic experiences, social isolation, discrimination, substance abuse, and inadequate access to mental health services. Exposure to these hazards may lead to conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.
  • Exposure to hazards can result in triggering increased substance abuse and exacerbating existing addiction issues. Limited access to essential services, disrupted healthcare systems, and heightened psychological distress contribute to a higher risk of substance misuse.
• Chronic Diseases: Disasters can disrupt healthcare infrastructure, interrupt the supply of essential medications, and hinder routine medical care for individuals with chronic conditions. Evacuations and displacement may further compromise access to regular treatment and exacerbate health disparities. The stress and trauma associated with emergencies can also worsen chronic disease symptoms and lead to new health challenges.
• Healthcare Infrastructure and Access: Natural disasters, pandemics, or conflicts can damage healthcare facilities, limit the availability of medical supplies, and overwhelm healthcare personnel. Access to routine and emergency healthcare may be impeded due to transportation challenges, overwhelmed hospitals, or the redirection of resources for immediate response needs. Vulnerable populations, including those with chronic illnesses or in remote areas, face increased difficulty in obtaining necessary medical care.

From ISC Band Classification Manual: