Bracebridge Updates Emergency Management Plan

The new plan aligns with provincial standards with the town required to respond to a range of emergency situations

Bracebridge General Committee approved an updated Emergency Program and Plan at its July 7, 2026, meeting.

According to the staff report, the updated plan will bring the Town's emergency management framework in line with current legislation, provincial standards and evolving emergency response needs.

The report notes the Town first adopted an emergency management program in 2004, with updates in 2018 following lessons learned from regional flooding and recommendations from the Town's 2021 Fire Master Plan.

The revised plan updates the Emergency Program and Plan By-law, amends the Delegation of Authority By-law and establishes a new by-law appointing the Town's Emergency Control Group and Emergency Management Program Committee.

Staff said the Town remains compliant with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and Ontario regulations governing municipal emergency management.

The updated plan incorporates the Incident Management System (IMS), including two new functional positions — an Emergency Social Services Section Chief and a Public Information Section Chief — reflecting the increasing complexity of emergency response.

The report notes municipalities must be prepared to respond to a range of emergencies, including flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, chemical spills, train derailments and tornadoes. Large-scale incidents can quickly require additional personnel, equipment and expertise, making an organized response essential.

Financially, the Town's annual budget includes funding for emergency planning, training, public education and emergency resources. However, staff recommend gradually increasing the Emergency Planning Reserve to about $357,480 to help fund the Town's share of future Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Program costs. The reserve is projected to increase from an estimated $239,016 at the end of 2025 to $256,316 by the end of 2026.

The report adds that the updated plan will guide how the Town prepares for, coordinates and responds to emergencies affecting residents and visitors.

Mayor, Rick Maloney, expressed that the plan reflects the experiences the Town has had. He said, “Despite having to go through those things makes the plan more solid.”

Councillor, Andrew Struthers, suggested that given the floods they’ve had they consider whether the financial numbers are still relevant or requires change.

Staff indicated that the reserve “is trending up, so we are continuing to build it.”

Upon discussion about education the public about preventative measures for potential upcoming floods, staff indicated that they would communicate reminders this fall regarding things people can do, such as tying down dock structures, removing outdoor furniture, or property changes to mitigate flooding.