Table of Contents 
5.0 Ministry Emergency Operations Centre and Telecommunications
5. Ministry Emergency Operations Centre and Telecommunications
To support MCSS/MCYS/OFA and as required by legislation, a permanent 24/7 Ministry Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC) has been established. Food, water, office, personal and health supplies are maintained on site so that the MEOC can be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of an emergency. The MEOC is adjacent to offices which can provide overflow space for operations and decision makers, if required.
In the event that the primary MEOC is not available due to a power blackout or a disaster in downtown Toronto, the ministry has established an alternate Emergency Operations Centre with generator capacity. A signed Memo of Understanding is in place regarding use of the alternate MEOC.
In addition, the MAG can meet virtually through teleconferencing. The virtual MAG is useful when the emergency occurs outside the Toronto area and Regional Directors or Facility Administrators/Superintendents need to be added to the MAG.
The MEOC is activated upon the decision of the MCSS/MCYS/OFA Executive Lead, Emergency Management. A Duty Binder located in the MEOC and at the A/MEOC provides the detailed procedures related to the operations in the MEOC.
To assist MAG members and the EMU staff in carrying out their functional roles in managing emergencies and ensuring continuity of operations, the following dedicated equipment is installed in the MEOC:
- workstations, desktop and laptop computers, photocopier and printer,
- telephone lines (OPS and non-OPS phone numbers) and fax machine,
- television, DVD, weather station radios, and AM/FM radio with back-up battery/crank power.
Computers and related equipment located in the MEOC are configured and connected to networks in a manner that will allow for immediate response capacity. High speed internet capacity has been installed to ensure availability of an alternate e-mail provider (Rogers). Portable central processing units (CPUs) and modems are available in the event of a power outage or other event that disrupts the function of the MEOC and for use in the event that the MAG must convene in an outside location.
The EMU has three backpacks with supplies that can be taken to an off-site location in the event of an emergency. In addition, three laptops are available and all relevant emergency response data, plans and related information are stored on the laptops for use in any location. Two additional backpacks are stored in the offices of the Executive Lead, Emergency Management at a different location.
The MEOC has been developed utilizing the Incident Management System (IMS), an international, standardized system that defines the basic command structure, roles, and responsibilities required for the effective management of an emergency incident or situation.
Telecommunications and related equipment are available to members of the MAG and EMU staff to assist them in responding to an emergency (e.g., cell phones, pagers, blackberries and laptop computers). The ministries are part of an OPS pilot to test an emergency communication paging system for a period of one year.
Blackberries have multiple communication capabilities, which include a phone, a Mike (walkie-talkie), PIN-to-PIN, access to Outlook and the internet. In the event that the OPS e-mail system fails, an alternate email system is available on these units through Telus. The PMD/YJS Regional Emergency Managers also have Blackberries with the same capabilities, except in the North where satellite phones are kept in the regional offices.