Emergency Management Working Group

The goal of the Emergency Management Working Group is to develop and implement a common approach to critical infrastructure protection, beginning with measures to protect the transportation, energy and telecommunications sectors. It also includes a common approach in responding to cross-border terrorist incidents and natural disasters. Major initiatives to accomplish these two goals focus on:

• Developing and implementing compatible protective and response strategies and programs for shared critical infrastructure in mutually agreed priority areas such as electricity generation and distribution, oil and gas pipelines, dams, telecommunications, transportation and cyber systems.
• Developing and implementing joint plans for cooperation on incident response, and conducting joint training and exercises in emergency response.

The commitments made in the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) recognize that a disaster – whether natural or man-made – in one country can have consequences across international borders, and may demand a common approach to a broad spectrum of emergency management efforts, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Recent experiences with hurricanes, ice storms and industrial accidents have demonstrated countries' interdependencies, as well as the value of international coordination, cooperation and assistance toward safeguarding people and their property.

Guided by the SPP, the three countries are reviewing emergency plans, examining interdependencies, capabilities and capacities, and seeking ways to better align approaches. Collaborative planning and prevention strategies will help ensure reduced impact, coordinated response and faster recovery from disasters, whether public health, cyber, natural, human error or terrorist in nature.

Initiatives moving forward under this goal include:

• Strengthening the safety and security of nuclear and radiological sites, critical border infrastructure, defence industrial bases and transportation systems, including enhancing the physical security of facilities.
• Establishing appropriate coordination between our respective national plans – the National Response Plan for the U.S. (under review) and the Federal Emergency Response Plan for Canada (under development).
• Canada and the U.S. are developing Mutual Assistance Arrangements, which will enhance preparedness for cross-border public health emergencies. Mexico has been invited to participate.
• A coordinating body of senior officials from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico aim to finalize, by June 2007, the North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which will outline cooperative activities anticipated during the management of all stages of an avian influenza and human pandemic influenza.