Emergency Resources

Regional Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) Coordinator

Phone: (902) 759-1797
Email: 

For further information on emergency preparedness in Nova Scotia visit:

Regional Emergency Measures Organization (REMO)

Towns of New Glasgow, Stellarton, Westville, Trenton, Pictou and the Municipality of the County of Pictou

A cooperative and coordinated approach to municipal emergency planning in Pictou County

“Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is the name applied at both provincial and local areas to the organization designated with the responsibility for coordination of: emergency planning; provision of selected emergency resources, emergency planning and response training and education; allocation of emergency funds; and coordination or control of emergency response as required.”

The initial response to most emergencies will be by Fire Departments, Police, EHS, Health Authorities, Public Works, Social Services, utility companies and other related emergency services. Through frequent association, all of these agencies work together at the site(s). In some circumstances however the situation warrants special municipal resources or coordination. To meet this need, all municipal units in Nova Scotia are required by Provincial legislation to have an Emergency Measures Response Plan and an Emergency Measures By-law. The Municipality of the County of Pictou and the towns of Pictou, Trenton, New Glasgow, Stellarton and Westville signed a regional “Inter-municipal Emergency Services Agreement” to create a Regional Emergency Measures Organization (REMO) on May 6th, 2003. Each municipal unit then revised its individual Emergency Measures By-law to support the Inter-municipal Emergency Services Agreement.

Based on the Inter-municipal Emergency Services Agreement, supported by the six municipal Emergency By-laws, one regional Emergency Response Plan was developed and approved by representatives from the six Councils and the Province. This Regional Emergency Response Plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, municipal staff personnel, and response agencies in an emergency within one or more, or all, County municipal units. It is an all-hazards response plan and includes guidelines for a declaration of a “Local State of Emergency” when warranted. Arrangements are included for one Emergency Operations Center for the region. Each municipal Emergency Response Plan must also provide for:

(a) An Executive Committee (senior elected officials).

(b) A Planning Committee with representatives from municipal staff and responding agencies i.e., Fire, Police, Public Works, Red Cross, Health and other pertinent agencies

(c) An Emergency Measures Coordinator (EMC)

Executive Committee

  • Senior elected officials

Operations Committee

  • Chief Administrative Officers
  • Municipal Staff
  • Regional Emergency Measures Coordinator

Planning Committee

Representatives from

  • Red Cross
  • Community Services
  • Department of Environment
  • Transportation and Public Works
  • Chignecto School Board
  • Fire Services
  • Police Services
  • Pictou County Health Authority
  • Emergency Health Services
  • Engineering and Public Works
  • Volunteers

The role of the Regional Emergency Measures Organization (REMO) in an emergency is to provide an organized structure to support the response to the emergency and as much as possible, to provide for the continuation of normal municipal services. Working in conjunction with EMO-NS, it helps coordinate the overall response by providing an established formal link between; municipal government, responders, and other stakeholders. During an emergency, the “incident Commander” is usually the senior officer of the lead responding agency, i.e., Fire, Police, etc. The Municipality may however appoint an Incident Commander if the situation warrants that step. The REMO Command Centre for Pictou County is the New Glasgow Police Services Station.

The non-emergency role is to work with partners to identify hazards and to plan and prepare for emergencies. Municipal leaders, municipal staff representatives, emergency response organizations and volunteers continue to review and improve emergency response procedures, standards and provide training and information sessions.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Emergency Management Office

July 3, 2014 3:10 PM

The Emergency Management Office (EMO) is reminding Nova Scotians to take steps to help minimize risk of property and personal damage from a hurricane or tropical storm.Strong winds, heavy rains and storm and power surges can cause significant damage. All Nova Scotians are asked to prepare in advance and monitor local weather forecasts this weekend.The basic checklist includes:

  • enough food and water for 72 hours
  • monitoring local broadcast networks for updates
  • securing gates, doors and windows
  • moving yard furniture and securing trash cans, hanging plants and anything that can be picked up by wind
  • checking radio batteries
  • filling vehicles with gas and parking them away from trees
  • removing dead or diseased branches from trees to make them more wind resistant
  • keeping pets inside
  • moving any type of watercraft to high groundEMO is working with Environment Canada and partners on the approaching storm, gathering municipal information, identifying possible local risk areas and conducting information sessions with provincial and municipal emergency management officers and co-ordinators.More storm tips can be found at Get Prepared for Hurricanes