Directive on Building Emergency and Evacuation Teams

• 1.1This directive takes effect on April 1, 2020.
• 1.2This directive replaces the Standard for Fire Safety Planning and Fire Emergency Organization, Chapter 3‑1 (February 15, 1994).

• 2.1This directive is issued pursuant to the same authorities indicated in section 2 of the Policy on People Management.

• 3.1The objectives of this directive are as follows:
  • 3.1.1Ensure that the health and safety of all persons employed are protected during an emergency that affects the workplace; and
  • 3.1.2Provide all persons employed with information and support in the event of an emergency.
• 3.2The expected result is that emergency situations are anticipated and managed effectively.  

Departmental emergency and evacuation coordinator

• 4.1The senior official designated by the deputy head as the departmental emergency and evacuation coordinator is responsible for the following:
  • 4.1.1Ensuring overall responsibility for emergency preparedness in all buildings where the department has persons employed, including:
    • 4.1.1.1Overseeing the implementation and monitoring of this directive, including reporting significant performance or compliance issues to the deputy head;
    • 4.1.1.2Designating a senior departmental manager for emergencies and evacuations in each building where the department has persons employed;
    • 4.1.1.3Providing information to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat when requested, to support timely and accurate reporting on compliance;
    • 4.1.1.4Ensuring that an evacuation drill exercise and a lockdown or shelter‑in‑place exercise are each conducted at least once every calendar year;
    • 4.1.1.5Coordinating the department’s emergency response in a building where the sole or primary tenant department is also the custodian department by:
      • 4.1.1.5.1Providing technical information beyond the scope of a tenant and other assistance to the Building Emergency and Evacuation Team;
      • 4.1.1.5.2Providing building plans and fire protection equipment (such as portable extinguishers);
      • 4.1.1.5.3Implementing and integrating measures for emergency systems (such as exterior doors, lighting and voice communication), building systems (such as elevators and mechanical and electrical systems) and life safety systems (such as exit stairs, fire alarms, safe rooms and sprinklers);
      • 4.1.1.5.4Notifying the Building Emergency and Evacuation Team of local information requirements for first responders as part of the emergency and evacuation plan;
      • 4.1.1.5.5Ensuring that the Building Emergency and Evacuation Team readily cooperates with building owners (public or private), other tenants and first responders in the preparation of the emergency and evacuation plan;
      • 4.1.1.5.6Ensuring that if a new Building Emergency and Evacuation Team is formed because of a change in primary tenant or for any other reason, the new lead senior manager for emergencies and evacuations receives a copy of the emergency and evacuation plan;
      • 4.1.1.5.7Integrating tenant‑funded emergency and evacuation requirements, both baseline and enhanced, into the base building infrastructure;
      • 4.1.1.5.8Assisting custodian departments of a building or other complex made up of more than one building or tower, where each has its own Building Emergency and Evacuation Team and where the buildings are connected by a common means of exit, in coordinating with the Building Emergency and Evacuation Teams to align emergency preparedness activities required for common areas; and
    • 4.11..6Where the department is not the primary or only tenant in a building, designating a senior manager to ensure cooperation with the lead senior manager for emergencies and evacuations of that building.

• 5.1This section identifies other key government organizations in relation to this directive. In and of itself, this section does not confer any authority.
• 5.2Employment and Social Development Canada administers the Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health and Safety.
• 5.3Public Services and Procurement Canada is the common service organization that provides custodian services.
• 5.4Public Safety Canada provides advice on emergency management and preparedness.
• 5.5The Public Health Agency of Canada is the lead federal organization for coordinating the health response for national health‑related emergencies. The agency’s response is managed through Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response and through liaison with Public Safety Canada.
• 5.6The Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response is the Government of Canada’s health authority on bioterrorism, emergency health services and emergency response.
• 5.7The Royal Canadian Mounted Police promotes safe communities and provides training and advice on emergency procedures related to bomb threats and other forms of criminal activity.
• 5.8Health Canada is the lead federal department responsible for coordinating the response to a nuclear or radiological emergency under the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan. Health Canada also manages the Public Service Occupational Health Program, which provides guidance and direction through the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on the protection of the occupational health of public service employees.
• 5.9Other federal departments such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, Transport Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission have technical resources readily available to provide advice to first responders on an emergency basis. 

• 6.1This directive applies to the persons employed and the organizations listed in section 6 of the Policy on People Management. 

• 7.1Legislation
  • Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health and Safety
  • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part XVII, Safe Occupancy of the Work Place
  • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part XIX, Hazard Prevention Program
  • Federal Real Property and Federal Immovables Act
• 7.2Related policy instruments
  • Fire Protection Standard
  • Occupational Health and Safety Directive
  • Directive on Security Management>
  • Policy on Government Security

• 8.1For interpretation of any aspect of this directive, contact Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Public Enquiries.