Municipal Emergency Program
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In BC, local governments lead the initial response to emergencies and disasters in their communities. The District of Maple Ridge has prepared emergency plans and maintains an emergency management organization to ensure the safety of citizens when a situation escalates beyond the first responder level:
- An emergency is defined as a critical situation that can be dealt with routinely by the appropriate departments such as the RCMP or Fire Department.
- A major emergency is defined as a critical situation that requires the commitment of all the emergency response resources of the municipality.
- A disaster is a critical situation that has exceeded the emergency response resources of the municipality. The Emergency Operations Centre would be assembled and a Local State of Emergency could be declared.
The Emergency Management Committee is comprised of the Emergency Program Coordinator, the Chief Administrative Officer, the General Manager: Public Works & Development Services, the Fire Chief, the Director of Emergency Social Services, and other members as appointed by the Mayor including representatives from Municipal Departments and Volunteer Services.
An Emergency Operations Centre has been established in the Blaney Room at Maple Ridge City Hall - 11995 Haney Place with a secondary location in the training room at Fire Hall #1 - 22708 Brown Avenue.
Emergency Social Services (ESS) provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. This assistance could include food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification.
Emergency Social Services Volunteers are required for a variety of assignments in the event of a response to an emergency. Volunteers may also be required for pre-planning prior to an event. If you have an interest in providing support, please visit our website and sign-up for Emergency Social Services.