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Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Liaison, Preparedness and Policy Coordination
Office of Emergency Management
The formation of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 1997 brought
together five distinct emergency management cultures. The objective of the
Office of Emergency Management is to establish and maintain within Programs a
unified and coordinated emergency response network in which each Program with
emergency management responsibilities fulfils its mandate in a rapid and
effective manner.
Working with designated staff within each Program, the Office will ensure
that contingency planning and response capabilities at Headquarters, Program
Centre and Area levels are complete, current and functional.
The Office also actively participates with emergency management staff in
other Branches of the CFIA to help the Agency as a whole meet all of its
emergency management obligations, particularly as a support Agency to the Office of Critical
Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness, the federal Agency
responsible for coordinating national responses to emergency situations.
- Emergency Management in the CFIA
Under the Emergency Preparedness Act, the CFIA has the lead role in
preparing for and responding to emergencies involving food safety, animal
health, plant protection or any of its programs. These are called
"mandated" emergencies. The agency is responsible for preparing
emergency plans and developing effective response capabilities for such
emergencies.
In collaboration with other branches, Programs Branch has the responsibility
for emergency preparedness within the CFIA. The Office of Emergency Management,
Policy Planning and Co-ordination Directorate, co-ordinates with program
divisions to ensure that our emergency management responsibilities are met.
Operations Branch has the lead role in emergency response. The CFIA Emergency
Book (draft, May 2001) describes structure, organization, and operational
aspects of emergency management within the CFIA.
An effective emergency response, however, must involve co-operation with other
organizations. Key partners for the CFIA include: Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada (AAFC); Health Canada; Solicitor General of Canada; provincial and
territorial governments; producer organizations and other industry
stakeholders; international emergency management committees; and other
government departments.
The CFIA also has a responsibility to support the provinces and other federal
departments in preparing for and responding to natural disasters or other
public welfare emergencies ("non-mandated" emergencies).
Together with AAFC, the CFIA has established the Food and Agriculture
Emergency Response System (FAERS). The system provides a policy and emergency
planning framework for managing emergencies. As outlined in FAERS, the CFIA and
AAFC have a joint role in emergency management. Responsibility for public
welfare emergencies is shared, with either the CFIA or AAFC taking the lead.
For mandated emergencies, the CFIA is the lead organization. Upon notification
of a non-mandated emergency, AAFC and the CFIA jointly determine which of the
two organizations will take the lead and which will provide a support
function.
- Food and Agriculture Emergency Response System
(FAERS)
For the purpose of FAERS, an emergency is defined as an abnormal situation
requiring prompt action beyond normal procedures in order to prevent injury or
damage to people, plants, livestock, property, or the environment The FAERS is
an all-hazards emergency management system designed to link the federal,
provincial and private sectors to better manage and coordinate response to
emergencies. Emergency management planning is keyed to the adverse effects
common to most emergencies rather than their different causes. The purpose of
FAERS is to mobilize all agri-food sector resources to mitigate the effects of
emergencies on the Sector, and to ensure the continuity, adequacy and safety of
Canada's agri-food system.
Fundamental to FAERS is the use of existing organizations, programs and
resources which may be augmented by additional emergency management plans and
arrangements when emergency response requirements exceed current departmental
operational and program capabilities.
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