Emergency management is the ongoing process of planning and allocating resources to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. A disaster is an emergency that exceeds the communities' resources.

There are four phases of emergency management

• Prevention - actions taken to prevent or mitigate the impact of disasters (reduce risk). Some ways that Strathcona County accomplishes this is through the industrial transition zone and promoting the FireSmart program.
• Preparedness - measures taken by individuals and communities to prepare for the occurrence of a hazard event. Some ways that Strathcona County accomplishes this is through public safety education which includes teaching people about being prepared for 72 hours.
• Response - timely and effective actions taken during an event such as emergency response and using the Emergency Operations Centre if necessary.
• Recovery - the process of returning to a "normal" state after a disaster has occurred. This would include rebuilding a community.

Strathcona County is prepared; staff and community members are trained in emergency management roles and responsibilities and relationships are continually being fostered with community groups. Strathcona County also works closely with industrial and mutual aid partners on emergency and response plan training exercises. 

Learn more about the Emergency Management Bylaw 42-2013.