Table of Contents 
6.0 Other Key Players in a Provincial Emergency Response
6. Other Key Players in a Provincial Emergency Response
6.1 Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the Executive Authority who may:
a) Declare that a provincial emergency exists;
b) Designate the area in which the emergency exists; and
c) Designate a Minister to exercise the powers conferred on the Premier under the Act.
6.2 Commissioner of Community Safety (formerly known as Commissioner of Emergency Management)
The Commissioner of Community Safety (formerly known as Commissioner of Emergency Management), will report to the Deputy Minister of Community Safety, who will advise the Premier and Cabinet on significant emergency response issues in the event of a provincial emergency. EMO is accountable to the Commissioner and is the lead for co-ordinating all provincial responses/support to community emergencies.
6.3 Provincial Ministers
Ministers assigned responsibility for a type of emergency are expected to:
a) Develop and maintain emergency response plans that fulfil their responsibilities for the type of emergency assigned by Order in Council;
b) Assign staff and resources to emergencies as required;
c) Coordinate their efforts with others, where appropriate, in accordance with their emergency response plans.
6.4 Minister of Government Services
Under the OIC, the Minister of Government Services has special responsibilities to ensure the continuity of critical government services.
6.5 Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC)
EMO monitors all potential emergencies from the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, and may deploy staff to advise or assist a community prior to an emergency being declared. EMO will provide a focal point for contact between community officials and other provincial agencies involved in any emergency response.
When a provincial emergency occurs, whether it is declared or not, the PEOC may be staffed with representatives from ministries that have designated Emergency Response responsibilities (this includes MCSS but not MCYS or OFA).
The Ministry of Community and Social Services representative at the PEOC acts as a conduit for information between the PEOC and the ministry and coordinates implementation of MCSS Order in Council responsibilities. All MAG members have PEOC contact information on their laminated wallet contact cards.
To increase the capacity to sustain a Ministry response during an emergency, Ministry volunteers have been identified to staff the MEOC and PEOC or provide other support, as required during an emergency. Volunteers have received one and a half days training which includes PEOC and MEOC training.