Saskatchewan Region Emergency Management Plan
Table of contents
- Introduction
- Scope
- Regional risk environment
- Regional context informing risk assessment
- Risk assessment for Saskatchewan region
- Regional legislation, regulations, authorities and/or agreements
- Indigenous Services Canada Saskatchewan Regional Agreements
- Communication and information-sharing mechanisms
- Culturally-relevant emergency services in Saskatchewan region
Introduction
The Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Regional Emergency Management Plans provide an overview of the specific roles and responsibilities of ISC regional offices and regional staff in supporting First Nations emergency management. This plan identifies the Saskatchewan regional office's responsibilities towards and relationship with: First Nations, Indigenous-led organizations, the provincial government, and non-governmental organizations involved in emergency management activities that support First Nations communities.
This plan supports the ISC National All Hazards Emergency Management Plan by identifying region-specific:
- risks and hazards
- communication and information sharing mechanisms
- how the ISC Saskatchewan regional office works with service providers and First Nations to ensure emergency services are culturally-relevant
Like the ISC national emergency management plan, this document is not meant to replace any First Nations, provincial, regional, or community procedures and plans. It is intended to complement any existing plans or procedures and may be used to help make informed decisions and take concrete actions to assist First Nations communities in emergency situations.
This regional plan is intended to be an evergreen document and will be reviewed and updated at least every two years, or following important changes to mandates and roles and responsibilities.
Scope
This plan supports First Nations on reserve in Saskatchewan in the four pillars of emergency management: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. For more information on the national emergency management plan's scope, see ISC's National All Hazards Emergency Management Plan.
To support the specific needs of Saskatchewan First Nations, First Nations and the region have adopted an all-hazards approach to emergency management by recognizing and integrating common emergency management elements across all hazard types. This approach aims to ensure timely, coordinated and efficient dissemination of information, both internally and externally, and at all levels of the region and department.
The Saskatchewan Regional Plan is not meant to replace First Nation, Tribal Council, First Nations partners or provincial procedures and plans, but rather used to complement from a federal perspective.
Regional risk environment
As outlined in ISC's national emergency management plan, Canada's risk environment includes a broad range of natural and human-induced hazards. Each region faces its own particular risk environment. Below, you can find Saskatchewan's regional risk assessment.
Regional context informing risk assessment
- Saskatchewan is made up of 3 natural geographical regions across the province: the Arctic tundra in the north, the Boreal Shield in the north, and the Plains in the central and southern areas
- Saskatchewan Region has 70 Nations, 3 of which are considered remote and or isolated (Fond du Lac Dene Nation, Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, and Black Lake Dene Nation). Due to remoteness, these Nations often have less capacity to access external supports during emergency events
- There are also several Nations within Saskatchewan Region where a combination of remoteness and limited access routes result in uniquely challenging emergency management
- 25 First Nations are located in dense forest areas with high risk of wildfires
- There are several major river systems in the province impacting First Nations communities located adjacent or in close proximity and deemed at high risk of annual spring flooding. 1 community (Red Earth Cree Nation) is impacted annually from high water levels and takes precautionary measures to monitor water levels based on historical events
- First Nation communities have and continue to be disproportionately impacted by health emergencies and communicable disease
Risk assessment for Saskatchewan region
- ISC's risk environment is consistent with Canada's risk environment which includes natural and human-induced (both intentional and unintentional) hazards
- The most common emergencies affecting Saskatchewan First Nations are wildfires and grass fires, lightning, spring flooding, severe weather including winter storms, extreme cold, high winds, tornadoes, and extreme heat waves caused by natural hazards, as well as health-related emergencies
- Over the years, warmer temperatures, droughts and more frequent lightning strikes due to climate change are significant drivers for the increasing risk of wildfires in the region. Wildfire smoke has short-term and potential long-term health consequences. Additional structural mitigation funding for emergency shelter in place options (large centers with back-up generators) will better support Nations during wildfire evacuations
- In addition, Saskatchewan First Nations have been impacted by hazardous material spills, missing persons and an increase in social and civil emergencies involving drugs, alcohol and gang violence
- Risks associated with these hazards include damages or permanent loss to infrastructure (power outages), displacement (evacuation), communication disruptions, environmental damage and loss of life
- Increased frequency of natural disaster hazards is expected to occur annually within the region due to the impacts of climate change
Regional legislation, regulations, authorities and/or agreements
There is no specific provincial legislation that governs emergency management on reserve. First Nations are considered local authorities within the provincial Emergency Management Act. Each emergency impacting First Nations is supported on a case-by-case basis within the Nation's unique relationship with Saskatchewan and Canada. Interpretation by First Nations, ISC, and the Government of Saskatchewan is informed by the following legislation and regulations.
- Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Act
- Emergency Planning Act, 1989
- Fire Safety Act
Indigenous Services Canada Saskatchewan Regional Agreements
- Canada-Province of Saskatchewan Forest Fire Suppression Agreement
- multilateral agreement – through multilateral agreement discussions, the department is working to ensure First Nations are equal partners with Canada and provincial governments. Engagement continues with First Nations, Tribal Councils, ISC and the Province of Saskatchewan, on a new way forward in the establishment of a multilateral agreement. Please refer to the ISC national Emergency Management Service Agreement webpage
First Nations and Tribal Councils
- Collaboration agreements with Canadian Red Cross for support during emergency response and recovery.
Communication and information-sharing mechanisms
- First Nations and Tribal Councils continue to enhance emergency management capacity at the community level to fully manage within all emergency management pillars, including determination of processes, service provider arrangements, partnerships, all-hazard planning, and ensuring supports are in place to protect communities and the health and safety of people.
- Chief and Council are responsible for activating their emergency management all-hazard plan. When the emergency situation overwhelms the community's ability to respond, the First Nation reaches out to their deemed emergency service provider for additional supports, which includes ISC Regional Emergency Management personnel for awareness and guidance related to ISC's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) response and recovery supports.
- Communicating emergency information is the responsibility of the affected First Nation's community leadership. This information may be delivered at community meetings, posted on social media and the community's webpage and bulletin boards.
- In consultation and advice from emergency management service providers, First Nation Leadership may call a State of Local Emergency or issue Evacuation Orders during an emergency event to ensure health and safety of community members.
- Information shared throughout emergency events affecting First Nations is streamlined to senior management, communications, and partners and stakeholders through situation reports as required. Frequency of situation reports will vary dependent on the event, ensuring that sufficient information required for informed decision-making is provided in a timely manner.
- To ensure a coordinated approach and response that meets the needs of First Nations during emergency situations, Saskatchewan Region continues to refine internal coordination between all programs as well as external emergency response partners
- In emergency situations where multiple ISC regional programs may be involved to support, the region continues to enhance their Critical Response Team (CRT) process to ensure efficient and effective communication and coordination of program supports are in place to support First Nation's needs.
- During wildfire season, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency activates their Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to ensure effective communication and sharing of information with First Nations and internal and external partners. ISC's Regional Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) ensures that information is shared with First Nations and participates on First Nation-led EOC calls to provide support to First Nations leadership and emergency management personnel.
- Provincial agencies communicate regularly with First Nations and encourage both a local and a regional approach to planning and response. Arrangements are in place for First Nations to activate provincial resources and supports when they have exceeded their capacity.
Culturally-relevant emergency services in Saskatchewan region
- First Nations led emergency management identifies culturally appropriate supports for displaced members outside of community to ensure basic needs are met.
- Supports are identified in all-hazard planning and through service provider agreements with First Nations and Tribal Councils, including Elder supports, community liaisons at host sites for individuals (language translation, culturally appropriate food services, health and family supports, ceremonial provisions, security, and transportation services).
- The region engages on an ongoing basis with First Nations, Tribal Councils, and service providers to ensure emergency supports and services are culturally-relevant and meet the needs of First Nations.
- The region has recently developed culturally-relevant guidelines supported through EMAP and have shared with First Nations, Tribal Councils, and provincial service providers including Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and the Canadian Red Cross.