Civil security in Laval: a shared responsibility  

Civil security is a shared responsibility between the population and its municipality to address emergencies.  

What is civil security?  

The Civil Security Act aimed at promoting disaster resilience (CSAPR) emphasizes that citizens remain primarily responsible for their own safety and the protection of their property.  

As the responsible authority, the City of Laval has a civil security plan to address emergency situations. This plan focuses on preparing for what to do before, during, and after a disaster.  

Civil security is a shared responsibility between citizens, municipalities, and the government to ensure public safety in the event of disasters and emergencies, whether caused by natural events or human actions that can lead to damage and loss of life. For instance, it involves preparing for floods, winter storms, heatwaves, high winds, accidents involving hazardous materials, or earthquakes.  

It encompasses all actions and measures implemented to:  

• Understand disaster risks.  
• Eliminate these risks or reduce the likelihood of their occurrence.  
• Mitigate their effects and limit the consequences on the community.

The 3 objectives of the civil security plan 

To meet the requirements of the Civil Security Act aimed at promoting disaster resilience (CSAPR) and ensure the safety of citizens, the City of Laval has established its civil security plan, which aims to:  

• Prevent major disasters or mitigate their consequences.  
• Prepare individuals to face such events.  
• Promote coordination during interventions and accelerate the return to normalcy.  

Laval’s civil security plan outlines a set of missions that address essential needs. These missions are shared among municipal services and partner organizations.  

The civil security policy  

The City of Laval has a civil security policy that consolidates the municipality’s obligations under the law. Through this policy, the City of Laval confirms its role in prevention, planning, and coordination regarding civil security. 

Additionally, this policy clarifies the involvement of municipal council members, the general management, and the various city departments in managing civil security within its territory. This ensures that all municipal staff are engaged in a shared vision and approach to civil security.  

Civil security mobilization  

When a real or potential disaster situation is reported to the civil security coordinator of Laval or their delegate, they must assess the situation and act according to the circumstances surrounding the event.  

Their role involves effectively coordinating human, material, and technological resources to respond to disasters. These coordinators ensure that the City and its citizens are prepared and equipped for such situations. They also oversee the development and updating of intervention plans, as well as the training of municipal staff involved.  

A whole organization is then deployed under their direction to implement the necessary actions on the ground, including activating the emergency coordination center and mobilizing specialized teams.