ARCHIVED - Management Response and Action Plan (MRAP) - Audit of Emergency Preparedness

1. It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Regions and Programs Branch (RAPB) partner with the Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Branch (CSB) to better align their respective emergency management responsibilities in building a culture of emergency management across the Department.

Management agrees with the recommendation.

In collaboration with the ADM, Corporate Services Branch, the ADM, Regions and Programs Branch will work to reconfigure Health Canada's emergency management framework and governance by establishing a new committee that would incorporate the Department's internal security functions with its external emergency management functions.

Work to reconfigure Health Canada's emergency management framework and governance by establishing a new committee that would incorporate the Department's internal security functions with its external emergency management functions.

Merge the existing Crisis Management Team (CMT) and Departmental Emergency Preparedness Committee (DEPC) into a single Committee. This integrated approach will facilitate the continued development of a more collaborative and connected emergency management cadre within the Department.

Finalize integrated emergency and crisis management governance model

March 2011

ADM/RAPB

ADM/RAPB

ADM/CSB

Establish membership for the integrated committee

April 2011

Finalize terms of reference

October 2011

2. It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister, Regions and Programs Branch work with the Health Portfolio partners to update and approve the Health Portfolio Emergency Preparedness Policy (HPEPP).

Management agrees with the recommendation.

Revision of the Health Portfolio Emergency Preparedness Policy has begun as a part of the Joint Emergency Preparedness Committee (JEPC) work plan for 2010-2012.

Revise and finalize the Health Portfolio Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Updated Health Portfolio Emergency Preparedness Plan

December 2011

Executive Director/ Emergency Health Planning, Preparedness and Response (EHPPR)

Executive Director/EHPPR

DG/JEPC/Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

3. It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister, Regions and Programs Branch work with other Assistant Deputy Ministers to conduct an emergency preparedness risk identification and assessment initiative to identify actions to be taken to meet legislative and policy requirements.

Management agrees with the recommendation.

The Executive Director, Emergency Health Planning, Preparedness and Response, through the Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), will begin working with Health Canada branches to conduct a department-wide identification and assessment initiative that will provide information on emergency preparedness areas within each Branch.

Identify existing plans (departmental, branch/program specific) for inventory purposes and assess areas for improvement in meeting legislative and policy requirements.
Assess areas for improvement in meeting departmental requirements.

Develop a guidance document to assist branches in producing emergency management plans.

List existing plans

March 2011

Executive Director/EHPPR in consultation with branches

Executive Director/EHPPR

Branch ADMs

Assessment

September 2011

Guidance Document

March 2012

The Executive Director, EHPPR, will work with the Health Portfolio partner to develop a threat and risk assessment and a strategic emergency management plan framework.

Develop a threat and risk assessment and a strategic emergency management plan framework.

Link threat and risk assessment findings with analysis of areas for improvement to create a departmental action plan and begin implementation.

Threat and risk assessment framework

April 2011

Executive Director/EHPPR

Executive Director/EHPPR

DG/JEPC/PHAC

Threat and Risk Assessment process

December 2011

Departmental action plan

March 2012

4. It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister, Regions and Programs Branch work with the Health Portfolio partners to develop and deliver a long term training and exercise plan.

Management agrees with the recommendation.

The Executive Director, EHPPR will work in conjunction with the portfolio partner on drafting a project charter for the Portfolio training program, including the establishment of a five-year training plan, courses and on-site/online learning opportunities to build a broader base of emergency management knowledge within the department.

Draft a project charter for the Portfolio training program, including the establishment of a five-year training plan, courses and on-site/online learning opportunities to build a broader base of emergency management knowledge within the Department.

Using the governance model, promote and provide targeted training for integrated CMT/DEPC committee members (Health Canada only).

Increased training in conjunction with five-year training plan for Health Canada's emergency management staff supporting the function.

Approved Project charter for Health Portfolio training

January 2011

Executive Director/EHPPR

Executive Director/EHPPR

DG/JEPC/PHAC

Implementation of newly developed online courses

March 2011

Finalize five-year training plan

October 2011

Targeted training

November 2011

Start implementation of Multi-year Health Portfolio work plan for exercises developed

March 2011

5. It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister, Regions and Programs Branch develop measureable performance indicators for both functions that are monitored and reported.

Management agrees with the recommendation.

The Executive Director, EHPPR, will begin work on the development of departmental performance indicators for emergency preparedness and response.

Develop departmental performance indicators for emergency preparedness.

Start implementation of departmental performance indicators for emergency preparedness

December 2011

ADM/RAPB

Executive Director, Departmental Performance Measurement and Evaluation Directorate (DPMED)

ADM/RAPB

The National Director, Employee Assistance Services (EAS), Emergency Preparedness and Occupational Health Directorate (EPOHD) will develop measurable performance indicators that address readiness and response (pre-incident training, information for managers and employees, and incident readiness and response) capacities for the Psychosocial Emergency Preparedness and Response Team.

Develop measurable performance indicators that address readiness and response [pre-incident training, information for managers and employees, and incident readiness and response] capacities for the Psychosocial Emergency Preparedness and Response Team.

Measureable performance indicators for readiness and response

December 2011

National Director, EAS, EPOHD