In the EOC Bootcamp series we’ve talked about the overall purpose of an EOC, good habits for success, and ways to build situational awareness. By now, readers might say “that’s great, but how do we know when to activate, and how big should we go with it?” Good question! Let’s walk through some thoughts to…
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When hazardous materials and wildfire risk intersect, preparedness becomes non-negotiable. As part of operating and maintaining electrical infrastructure across Interior British Columbia, FortisBC generates materials classified as hazardous under environmental regulations. The Warfield facility provides centralized storage and management to ensure these materials are handled safely and in compliance with provincial requirements. Ally recently facilitated…
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In emergency operations, decisions often have to be made before all the facts are in. That’s where situational awareness comes in — the ability to recognize what’s happening, understand its implications, and anticipate what might happen next. It’s a phrase you’ll hear often in Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), but also one that’s often misunderstood. At…
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Earlier this year, Ally worked with the City of Delta Emergency Management Department to conduct a multi-agency emergency exercise focused on a fire scenario at the Delta Golf & Country Club. The table-top exercise brought together more than 30 individuals from the City of Delta and other stakeholders including police and fire, Tsawwassen First Nation,…
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Among the many habits that define a strong emergency management practitioner, two often get overlooked because they seem too obvious: reading the manual and taking notes. In the rush and excitement of an EOC activation, it’s tempting to skip the basics – until those basics become problems of their own. In this issue of EOC…
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Earlier this summer, Ally was pleased to work with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to design and deliver an interagency tabletop exercise (TTX) simulating a major aircraft incident. This exercise was part of YVR’s Emergency Exercise Program, which Ally has supported for several years through both annual tabletop and full-scale exercises. These activities are designed to…
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This post is part of the EOC Bootcamp series by Dave Whittier – Senior Associate at Ally Emergency Management. Drawing on decades of field experience in emergency management and EOC operations, Dave shares practical tips, memorable stories, and hard-earned lessons to help organizations understand EOC roles and responsibilities, and strengthen their overall emergency response capacity.…
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Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) are the nerve centres of crisis coordination — places where clarity, communication, and composure are essential. Yet for many organizations, the EOC remains an unfamiliar and underdeveloped resource, and given consideration only once an emergency is underway. We at Ally are proud to introduce our EOC Bootcamp Series, a collection of…
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After-Action Reviews (AARs) are a critical part of the emergency recovery phase. In this article, we explore why AARs matter, and share Ally’s methodology for conducting effective reviews with your team after an unexpected event or emergency. Emergencies Happen. Learn from Them. Despite best efforts to prevent, mitigate and prepare, emergencies are inevitable. From cyber…
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Preparing for the Unexpected at a Critical Infrastructure Site As part of our continued work to support the Emergency Management Program at FortisBC, Ally recently helped plan and execute a full-scale LNG emergency preparedness exercise at the Mt. Hayes facility on Vancouver Island. This plant is one of two liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities owned…
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