We ensure regional partners can collectively decide on priorities, identify required resources And effectively plan on a sub-regional and regional scale for future emergency events that have the potential to be cross-jurisdictional in nature.
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1995
The Joint Emergency Liaison Committee (JELC) was established as a partnership between the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and the BC Provincial Government to undertake regional emergency management planning.
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2006
The governance planning review process with the GVRD Regional Administrators Advisory Committee (RAAC) determined that there was a need to formalize the partnership to outline responsibilities and authority of the organizations involved.
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2007
GVRD endorsed the “Integrated Partnership” model for regional emergency management and directed the GVRD Chief Administrative Officer and JELC to present:
A proposed Memorandum of Understanding, which would authorize the GVRD to operate a regional planning and coordination service; and
A proposed bylaw to establish the regional planning and coordination service and give the authority for the GVRD Board to enter into the proposed partnership
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2008
Approved GVRD Bylaw 1079, 2008 Regional Emergency Management Service Establishment
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2009
The Integrated Partnership for Regional Emergency Management (IPREM) was established through a Memorandum of Understanding between the British Columbia (BC) Government and the Metro Vancouver Regional District (on behalf of 21 municipalities, one Treaty First Nation and one electoral area) to enhance emergency management in the Metro Vancouver region
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2009
The IPREM implemented the inaugural 2009-2015 IPREM Strategic Plan focused on increasing visibility of the partnership and leading the development of medium to long-term projects by engaging stakeholders for support.
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2015
IPREM undertook an extensive strategic planning process by engaging emergency management practitioners from local government and stakeholders in the Metro Vancouver region, Emergency Management BC (now known as the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness) and the IPREM Steering Committee to inform the development of the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan. The strategic direction reflects IPREM’s primary role as a coordinating, intergovernmental entity for regional emergency management planning and a vehicle to bring the region together to continue strengthening relationships and collaboration in emergency management.
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2016
IPREM implemented the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, which was later extended until the new emergency management legislation was originally set to be implemented in 2021.
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2020
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, IPREM pivoted to support regional needs and priorities. The 2020 Workplan was paused completely, and the 2021 and 2022 Workplans involved the development of several interim reports and after-action reviews to support the region.
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2022
IPREM once again undertook an extensive strategic planning process, seeking input from communities and partners to develop the next 5-year Strategic Plan.
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2023
IPREM implemented the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan which re-focused IPREM work to better support collaboration post-pandemic and better align with the forthcoming legislation.
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2023
On November 8, 2023, the Emergency and Disaster Management Act came into force, replacing the Emergency Program Act. In advance of the legislation, IPREM held a Regional Forum to inform and collect feedback from local Emergency Program Coordinators. IPREM will continue to support the region with the adoption of this modernized legislation.