Purpose
Increase the Region’s ability to respond to extreme weather events.
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The Region’s Emergency Management Program and Regional Emergency Response Plan was updated with an emphasis on climate change impacts. These updates will enhance the flexibility of the Region’s emergency responses, ensuring that services are restored quickly and disruptions to residents and businesses are minimized under extreme weather events.
The Regional Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) has been updated to include a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of community capabilities. This assessment identifies key hazards faced by Halton Region including severe weather. Opportunities to further align the HIRA with Climate Action Response Team (CART) objectives is being explored.
To be responsive, a hazard-specific Regional flood emergency response plan was developed in consultation with the Local Municipalities and Conservation Halton. Additional hazard-specific plans are planned to supplement the Region’s overarching Emergency Response Plan going forward and address the impacts of climate change.
The annual completion of the Region’s Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) is now taking an evidence-based approach to better incorporate Halton’s changing climate conditions, rather than relying solely on historical data.
In 2025, Emergency Management worked with the local Conservation Authorities to consider increasing climate specific hazards (eg. Flooding, landslides, etc.).