Second, agriculture represents critical infrastructure that communities must protect during disasters. Wildfires, floods, extreme weather, and evacuations can threaten livestock, crops, storage facilities, and supply chains. The loss of agricultural assets is not only an economic blow—it can disrupt food security, employment, and long-term recovery for entire regions. National frameworks for agriculture emergency management consistently emphasize the importance of preparedness, coordination, and recovery planning at the local level to reduce these impacts.

Third—and often underestimated—agriculture is a powerful source of support during emergencies. Farmers and agri-businesses possess heavy equipment, specialized transport, water access, fuel, skilled labour, and deep local knowledge. These assets can be invaluable during response and recovery, if they are identified and coordinated in advance.

This is where EMLCanada is intentionally positioning its work. We recently updated platform categories and sub-categories to make it easier for agricultural operations to participate. Services such as animal care, specialized transport, and logistics supports are now easier to list, alongside targeted equipment and supplies that are commonly available within the agriculture sector.

Listening to feedback from rural municipalities—particularly in Alberta—has been central to this evolution. Communities told us they wanted stronger, more intentional engagement with agriculture. In response, EMLCanada partnered with students from the Ballad Group’s AgriEdge program to research and identify leading agricultural suppliers and stakeholders across the province. This work helped strengthen our understanding of agricultural supply chains and highlighted the readiness and willingness of the sector to contribute to community resilience.

The lesson is clear: agriculture is not separate from emergency management—it is essential to it. By intentionally including farms and agri-businesses in preparedness efforts, communities can reduce risk, protect livelihoods, and unlock powerful local capabilities when emergencies occur.

At EMLCanada, we remain committed to listening, learning, and strengthening Canada’s emergency management network—together with the agriculture sector that feeds, supports, and sustains our communities.

If a situation escalates beyond local capacity, communities then look to their neighbours—nearby municipalities, Indigenous communities, and regional partners—for additional support. Only after exhausting local and regional options do they typically request assistance from provincial, territorial, or federal governments. This layered approach reflects a simple truth: resilience begins close to home.

Local businesses and community organizations are uniquely positioned to identify and understand the assets available in their communities. They know what equipment is available, who has specialized skills, and where gaps may exist. Strong local networks make it easier to mobilize help quickly and efficiently, reducing delays and improving outcomes during emergencies.

This is where Emergency Management Logistics Canada (EMLCanada) comes in. EMLCanada is not a response agency—it is a practical resource tool designed to help communities map, track, source, and coordinate the resources they already have access to. The platform supports logistics functions by making it easier for emergency management organizations to connect with local, regional, and national partners when the time comes.

At its core, EMLCanada is about relationships. When people and organizations know one another—and understand what supports are available—they are in the best possible position to help communities respond effectively. That’s why EMLCanada is committed to keeping the platform free for local businesses and community organizations. It’s an invitation to be part of a growing national network that is ready to support local response and recovery efforts whenever disaster strikes.

Call to Action: Take a moment to think about the businesses and community organizations in your network. Ask them if they would be willing to help in a disaster situation. When they say “yes,” share the FREE2026 code and invite them to join the network at https://emlcanada.ca/memberships/.

Strong local networks save time, reduce damage, and build trust—when we need it most.

As soon as the activation is posted, the platform automatically notifies all businesses, groups, and organizations on the community’s Resource Management List. These notifications—sent by both text and email—alert vendors that an urgent situation requires their attention. With a single click, the EMLPlatform opens directly to the activation notice, where suppliers can review the details and click the “Offer Support” button.

When a supplier offers support, their information is captured and organized by the system into a downloadable list of available products, services, and supplies. This streamlined process helps Logistics Sections quickly assess options and make informed decisions during fast-evolving events.

It is essential to remember that an offer of support is not a deployment order or a contract for service. Instead, it is the first step in letting decision-makers know that resources may be available for procurement. This allows emergency management organizations to maintain control, follow proper protocols, and ensure the right resources are activated at the right time.

The Current Activation tool is another example of how EMLCanada helps communities connect, coordinate, and respond more effectively when emergencies strike.

Scott Cameron, Co-Founder of Emergency Management Logistics Canada (EMLCanada), joined the exercise as part of the Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) Logistics Section. Equipped with a laptop and access to the EMLCanada platform, Scott was able to simulate real-world conditions by identifying potential local, neighbouring, and national resources. While direct supplier contact was not initiated—out of respect for participants’ time—it was valuable to confirm that critical contact information was accessible, accurate, and current.

Among the simulated resource needs were food services, hotel accommodations, transport logistics, communications equipment, weather data, traffic control, animal transport, PPE, water, and agricultural supports. Each of these requirements highlighted how quickly needs multiply during disaster response—and how essential it is to have the right connections ready before an emergency occurs.

1. Decisions rest with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

During any emergency, the authority to deploy resources lies with the organization officially managing the response— typically an emergency management centre belonging to a municipality, Indigenous government, or provincial, territorial, or federal agency. These emergency management organizations assess needs, identify priorities, and determine which products, services, and supports are required. They are also accountable for knowing what resources are deployed, where and for what purpose.

Participation on the EMLCanada platform helps businesses and community organizations become visible and accessible when those decisions are made. However, activation and deployment still depend on the AHJ’s direction. Their decisions ensure that the right resources are mobilized, at the right time, for the right reasons.