Department of Emergency Management: About us

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, responses and recovery activities. We help make sure that Nova Scotians are safe and prepared during emergencies and disasters. We also provide timely emergency alerts and information.

The department coordinates partners and resources during province-wide and large-scale emergencies. We also support municipalities, local emergency management organizations and communities.

We're also responsible for the Office of the Fire Marshal.

• coordinating a unified emergency response across Nova Scotia
• promoting emergency preparedness and providing public education and awareness about emergencies
• administering the 911 service
• Nova Scotia Guard
• issuing emergency alerts through NS Alert (an emergency public alerting app)
• supporting municipalities and first responders in emergency preparedness and planning
• administering disaster financial assistance programs

The Department of Emergency Management has staff throughout the province including public safety field communicators, 911 administrators, Provincial Coordination Centre staff, policy analysts, disaster financial assistance officers and regional operations teams.

• helping to strengthen coordination, communication and partnerships across Nova Scotia’s emergency management system
• providing public information before, during and after an emergency
• helping communities and residents prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters
• making sure essential government services can continue to operate during and after disruptive events
• maintaining critical communications infrastructure
• providing legislative advice to support a high level of safety standards for first responder organizations