EMO_FRS-002 - Spring Freshet Emergency Response Policy_2019(P-
SHIN 101IN Spring Freshet Emergency
Response Policy
Subject: Spring Freshet Emergency Response
Category: Policy
Policy No.:FRS-002
M&C Report No.: 2019-087
Effective Date: April 8, 2019
Next Review Date: (3 years)
This policy applies to all City of Saint John staff.
Office Responsible for review of this Policy: Saint
John Emergency Management Organization
Related Instruments:
Policy Sponsor: Director of Saint John Emergency
Management Organization
Document Pages: This document consists of (6)
pages.
Revision History:
Common Clerk's Annotation for Official Record
I certify that the Spring Freshet Emergency Response Policy was approved by
Common Council on April 8, 2019.
April 10, 2019
Common Clerk
Date
Contact: Mike Carr, Manager Saint John EMO/Division Chief Saint John Fire Department
Telephone: (506) 721-3834
Email: mike.carr@saintjohn.ca
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. POLICY STATEMENT................................................................................................................ 3
2. SCOPE..................................................................................................................................... 3
3. LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS............................................................................................... 3
4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES................................................................................................. 3
5. MONITOR AND REVIEW.......................................................................................................... 4
6. IMPLEMENTATION.................................................................................................................. 5
7. AUTHORIZATION.................................................................................................................... 5
8. RESOURCES............................................................................................................................ 5
9. PROCEDURES.......................................................................................................................... 5
10. GLOSSARY............................................................................................................................. 5
11. INQUIRIES............................................................................................................................. 6
12. APPENDIX............................................................................................................................. 6
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1. POLICY STATEMENT
The purpose of the Spring Freshet Emergency Response Policy (the "Policy") for the City of Saint John
(the "City') is to define the parameters that would initiate an emergency response to flood water
conditions during the annual Saint John River spring freshet and the resources and services the city
would provide.
2. SCOPE
The Policy applies to an emergency response to the annual Saint John River spring freshet. The Policy
does not apply to localized flooding within the City during severe weather events.
The 2018 flood in Saint John during the spring freshet mobilized an unprecedented distribution and use
of City resources. The Policy sets out conditions that would trigger an emergency response and the
deployment of City resources.
Emergency management responsibilities in Canada are shared by Federal, Provincial, and Territorial
(FPT) governments and their partners, including Indigenous peoples, municipalities/communities and
individual citizens who have a responsibility to be prepared for disasters and contribute to community
resiliency.
There is no statutory requirement for the City to provide resources, nor prevent a property from
flooding. However, the City will assist with the prevention of property flooding by making available
sandbags to individual property owners within the City when the spring freshet flood emergency
response level is met.
3. LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS
The following legislation and plans apply to the Policy:
a) Emergency Management Framework of Canada: Third Edition
b) Emergency Measures Act of the Province of New Brunswick
c) Municipalities Act of the Province of New Brunswick
d) Saint John Emergency Measures By-law
e) Saint John Municipal Emergency Response Plan
4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Flood levels along the Saint John River during the spring freshet vary annually based on many
environmental factors. Most years the impact is minimal, and an emergency response is not required as
those living in flood -prone areas experience regular flooding annually, and therefore mitigation
becomes a routine or habitual operation. However, during severe floods, such as the floods of 1973
(5.31 m); 2008 (5.2 m); and 2018 (5.76 m), emergency response was warranted requiring the Saint John
Emergency Management Organization (SJEMO) to activate and allocate resources as necessary. Of
these three relatively recent severe flood events in Saint John, 2008 was the lowest flood level to trigger
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an emergency response. Therefore, the 2008 flood level will be used as the trigger for flood emergency
response moving forward. Enhanced response for this flood level or higher will help mitigate the
potential impacts on critical infrastructure and residential property.
To ensure the City has sufficient lead time for preparations, flood levels in the City of Fredericton region
will be monitored for projected 2008 flood conditions in Saint John. Furthermore, at any time when it is
projected by New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO) that flood levels will reach
emergency flood status; SJEMO will activate to Level 3 (Full Activation), and flood emergency response
actions will begin.
Usually, two to three days' notice is available for potential flood waters. SJEMO will use the following
table as a guideline for responding to specific flood levels that occur during the annual spring freshet.
Table 1
Flood Activation Levels and the Resulting Actions Based on Saint John River Flood Levels in Metres
Projected Flood Levels
Actions
Lead Agency
(metres)*
Pre -flood
•
Flood preparedness messaging
•
Communications
•
Resource inventory and preparation
•
TES
(staffing and equipment)
•
Confirm reception centre availability
•
ESS
•
Stakeholder engagement
•
SJEMO
4.2 m
•
SJEMO — Level 1 Activation — Enhanced
•
SJEMO
Regular flood level
Monitoring
•
Implement flood communication
•
Communications
messaging
4.7 m
•
SJEMO — Level 2 Activation — Partial
•
SJEMO
Activation
•
Provide assistance on a case by case
basis if an emergency exists.
>5.2 m
•
SJEMO — Level 3 — Full Activation
•
SJEMO
Flood Emergency Response
•
Implement a flood emergency
•
TES
Level
response including the establishment
of sandbag distribution centres.
Post -Flood
•
Damage assessment
•
SJEMO
•
Implement the Flood Recovery Plan
*Flood response levels are based on 2008 flood levels in Saint John, which include critical infrastructure
impacts and effects on residential properties.
5. MONITOR AND REVIEW
The Policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years by the Saint John Emergency Management
Organization, or should changes or circumstances warrant.
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6. IMPLEMENTATION
City resources committed to this type of emergency response will be determined through normal
emergency management processes.
During Spring Freshet Emergency Response
• Filled sandbags will be made available at distribution centres for pick up free of charge.
• City resources will not be used for delivery to specific locations.
• The number and location of distribution centres will depend on the situation.
• The City will maintain the capacity to establish up to three centres.
During Spring Freshet Emergency Recovery
• The City will assist in the removal of flood debris including sandbags.
• Separate instructions would be provided with clear direction on requirements for property
owners to separate debris by type and place roadside.
• City resources will not operate on private property.
7. AUTHORIZATION
The Spring Freshet Emergency Response Policy Document is authorized under the authority of the City
Manager, on the recommendation by the Director of the Saint John Emergency Management
Organization.
8. RESOURCES
Resources reviewed for the development of the Policy included:
• Province of New Brunswick Historic Water Levels
• City of Fredericton Flood Playbook 2018
9. PROCEDURES
SJEMO will activate to the appropriate level of flood response according to projected flood levels.
Standard operating procedures for sandbag distribution centres shall be developed as appropriate by
Transportation and Environment Services.
Flood -related messaging will be disseminated according to current standard operating procedures by
the Communications Department.
10. GLOSSARY
a) Emergency Response: To act immediately before, during, or after an emergency to manage its
consequences and to minimize suffering and losses associated with the event.
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b) Flood Emergency Response: To act immediately before, during, or after a flood to manage its
consequences and to minimize suffering and losses associated with flooding.
c) Flood Recovery Plan: A plan intended to repair, restore, and improve on conditions to an
acceptable level through measures taken after a flood.
d) Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT): Government bodies that are responsible for the
Emergency Management Framework in Canada.
e) Level 1 Activation (Enhanced Monitoring): Continuous monitoring by all SJEMO members of an
emergency situation that may require immediate municipal assistance.
f) Level 2 Activation (Partial Activation): Once notified, selected SJEMO members may be called in to
assist in supporting ongoing efforts towards an emergency.
g) Level 3 Activation (Full Activation): All SJEMO members are to report to the EOC to provide
direction, coordination, communication, and support during emergency operations.
h) Localized Flooding: Describes situations where intense rainfall is expected to cause high run-off
volumes in small catchments or in localized areas with minimal impact.
i) Saint John Emergency Management Organization (SJEMO): An Emergency Management
Organization specific to Saint John, New Brunswick that has been instituted to create and
implement a municipal all -hazard emergency management plan to mitigate hazards, prepare the
community, and govern response and recovery activities within the boundaries of the City of Saint
John as well as when providing mutual aid to neighbouring communities.
j) Spring Freshet: A spring thaw resulting from snow and ice melt in rivers located in the northern
latitudes of North America.
k) The City: The City used in reference to represent the City of Saint John in New Brunswick, Canada.
11. INQUIRIES
Inquiries about the Spring Freshet Emergency Response Policy may be directed to the Director of Saint
John Emergency Management Organization.
12. APPENDIX
Non -applicable
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