Emergency Management By-Law

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MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF CLARE
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BY-LAW

BE IT ENACTED by the Council of the Municipality of the District of Clare as follows:

1. TITLE
This By-law shall be cited as the Emergency Management By-law.

2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this By-Law is to establish and maintain a comprehensive Emergency ManagementProgram and to confirm the Municipality of the Town of Digby, the Municipality of the Districtof Digby, and the Municipality of the District of Clare’s participation in the Digby CountyRegional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) in accordance with the EmergencyManagement Act, 1990, c.8, s. 1, 2005, c. 48, s. 1

3. AUTHORITY
This By-Law is enacted pursuant to the authority granted under the Emergency Management Act,1990, c.8, s. 1, 2005, c. 48, s. 1 and regulations.

4. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this By-law:

  1. “Act” means the Emergency Management Act of Nova Scotia, 1990, c.8, s. 1, 2005, c.48, s. 1
  2. “Council” means the Council of the Municipality of the District of Clare.
  3. “REMO” means the Digby County Regional Emergency Management Organization,jointly established by the Municipality of the Town of Digby, the Municipality of theDistrict of Digby, and the Municipality of the District of Clare.
  4. “Emergency” means a present or imminent event requiring prompt coordination ofresources to protect the health, safety, or welfare of people or to limit damage to propertyor the environment.
  5. “Emergency Operations Centre” (EOC) means the designated facility from which theREMO directs and coordinates emergency response and recovery activities.
  6. “Regional Emergency Management Coordinator” (REMC) means the person or personsappointed as the full-time coordinator responsible for the administration, coordination,and maintenance of the REMO program.
  7. “Regional Emergency Management Plan” (REMP) means the all-hazards plandeveloped and maintained by the REMO to guide emergency preparedness, response,recovery, and mitigation.

5. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTORGANIZATION
5.1. The Municipality of the Town of Digby, the Municipality of the District of Digby, and the Municipality of the District of Clare hereby confirm their participation in the Digby County Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO).
5.2. The REMO shall operate under a jointly approved Inter-Municipal Emergency Services Agreement between the participating municipalities.
5.3. The REMO shall be governed by a Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) composed of representatives from each participating municipality.
5.4. The REMO shall establish a Regional Emergency Planning Committee (REPC) that will be responsible for recommending policy and procedures and will include representatives of emergency services and other agencies which may have direct operational responsibilities in an emergency.

6.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
6.1. The participating municipalities shall maintain a comprehensive emergency managementprogram that includes:

  1. Prevention and mitigation;
  2. Preparedness;
  3. Response; and
  4. Recovery activities.

6.2. This program shall be administered under the direction of the Regional Emergency Management Coordinator (REMC) on behalf of the REMO.

7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1. Council will:

  1. Approve the Emergency Management By-Law;
  2. Approve the Regional Emergency Management Plan;
  3. Approve the Inter-Municipal Emergency Services Agreement;
  4. Appoint members to the Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee;
  5. Authorize the declaration and/or termination of a Local State of Emergency as requiredunder the Act; and
  6. Ensure resources and support are made available to maintain the Regional EmergencyManagement Program.

7.2. Municipal Staff will:

  1. Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of the RegionalEmergency Management Plan;
  2. Participate in training and exercises as required by the REMO; and
  3. Support the activation of the EOC during emergencies or exercises.

7.3. Regional Partners will:

  1. Participate in the REMO planning and operational framework;
  2. Coordinate and share relevant information and resources to support emergencymanagement functions.

8. REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR (REMC)
8.1. The REMO shall maintain two dedicated full-time Regional Emergency ManagementCoordinator’s (REMC). One will be funded by the Municipality of the District of Clare and one will be jointly funded and shared by the Municipality of the Town of Digby and the Municipality of the District of Digby.
8.2. The REMC’s shall:

  1. Administer all components of the Regional Emergency Management Program;
  2. Coordinate the development, review, and maintenance of the Regional EmergencyManagement Plan (REMP);
  3. Provide advice, support, and training to REMO members and partners; and
  4. Act as the primary liaison between the REMO and the Nova Scotia Department ofEmergency Management (NSDEM).

9 .REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN (REMP)
9.1. REMO shall prepare and maintain a joint Regional Emergency Management Plan (REMP)consistent with provincial standards.
9.2. The REMP and any amendments shall be submitted to all participating municipal councils for approval and forwarded to the NSDEM.

10. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (EOC)
10.1. The REMO shall maintain three Emergency Operations Centre’s (EOC’s) that meetprovincial standards to serve as the central location for coordination during emergencies.
10.2. The EOC’s shall be equipped and maintained in a state of readiness to support regional response and recovery operations.

11. MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS
The REMO may, with approval of all participating municipal councils, enter into Mutual AidAgreements with other municipalities, organizations, or agencies for the provision or receipt ofemergency assistance and resources.

12. REVIEW AND COMPLIANCE
All aspects of the Regional Emergency Management Program shall be reviewed at least once everytwo (2) years by the REPC and the NSDEM to update and ensure compliance with provinciallegislation and standards.

13. REPEAL
By-Law No. 32 – EMO and any amendment thereto of the Municipality of the District of Clare ishereby repealed.

14. EFFECTIVE DATE
This By-law shall come into effect upon the date of Ministerial approval as required under theEmergency Management Act.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of the By-Law Respecting Emergency Management, adopted and in full force in the Municipality of the District of Clare.
DATED at Little Brook, Nova Scotia this 26th day of February, 2026.

Stéphane Cyr,
Chief Administrative Officer

Chief Administrative Officer’s Annotation for Official By-Law Book
Date of First Reading: January 21, 2026
Date of Notice of Intent Publication: February 11, 2026
Date of Second Reading: February 25, 2026
Date Sent to Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs: March 13, 2026
Date of Final Publication Following Second Reading: February 26, 2026
Date of Ministerial Approval: May 5, 2026