Emergency Management Program
The Mayor is the Chair and all City Councillors are members of the Emergency Advisory Committee.
The Emergency Management Bylaw (See Bylaws - E) outlines the Emergency Advisory Committee’s responsibilities:
Guide the Emergency Management Agency
Approve the City’s emergency plan
Declare a state of local emergency, when needed
Exercise Council’s powers under the Emergency Management Act
The City Manager is the Director of the Agency, which consists of the Executive Leadership Team, the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief of Community Safety and Risk and the Chief of Police.
The Emergency Management Bylaw outlines the Emergency Management Agency’s responsibilities:
Administer the City’s Emergency Management Program
Use a command, control and coordination system prescribed by the Emergency Management Act
Review the City’s emergency plan and operational procedures at least annually
Engage in a full-scale exercise for a possible emergency or disaster at least once every 4 years
Engage in a discussion-based exercise for a possible emergency or disaster scenario at least once a year
The City of Edmonton’s 2026 Municipal Emergency Plan will be published here when approved by the Emergency Advisory Committee.
During a disaster or major emergency, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) brings together representatives from the City of Edmonton and the emergency response community to coordinate resources in support of response and recovery activities.
There are more than 300 staff – from City departments, partnering organizations and agencies – who are trained to work at the EOC during a major incident, disaster or emergency
The Emergency Support Response Team (ESRT) supports Edmontonians displaced from their homes during a disaster or major emergency, as well as those evacuating to Edmonton when formal agreements are in place with their community.
The team, in coordination with community partners like the Canadian Red Cross, provides emergency social services such as:
Registration
Coordination of accommodations or temporary accommodations
Essential clothing and hygiene items
Food and water
Pet services and temporary care
Emergency first aid and health care services
Essential transportation
Mental health and addiction support
Support for people or communities with unique needs
Family reunification
Services not mentioned above are not provided by the City of Edmonton.
Depending on the type and severity of the emergency, ESRT may activate its Rapid Emergency Support Terminal (REST).
In 2024, ESRT:
Operated 2 RESTs for wildfire evacuees from neighbouring communities
Responded to 62 calls for service in Edmonton
Provided temporary emergency accommodation to 6,198 displaced people and additional support to 5,343 people.
The City has a semi-permanent REST facility, which is a safe place to meet the specific needs of evacuees. The REST is designed to support the needs of Edmontonians, but can also be used to support other communities in need, in alignment with the Government of Alberta’s Emergency Social Services Framework.
As a major municipality, the City of Edmonton is often called upon by the province to support individuals evacuating their communities due to wildfires, floods and other emergencies. All requests for City of Edmonton emergency social services support to other communities in need must be made through the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre. Adhering to this process ensures the City is reimbursed for costs incurred while operating the REST when requested by the province.
Financial Hardship
The Government of Alberta may provide emergency financial assistance to disaster evacuees.
Donations
The City appreciates Edmontonians’ generosity but does not accept donations of any kind at the REST. Businesses or organizations that provide free or discounted products or services to displaced people should share the information through their own networks.
The Office of Emergency Management provides strategic policy direction and leadership to the City of Edmonton’s Business Continuity Management Program. The program coordinates proactive pre-planning which helps City departments anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions. It provides a roadmap for continuing operations under adverse conditions and during disruptions caused by all types of incidents, emergencies and crises.