Framework for Earthquake Evacuation Planning: Case Study for Montreal, Canada

Abstract

Disaster management planning in Canada is government led, and the responsibilities are divided among federal, provincial, and local levels of government. The Civil Emergency Plan of Greater Montreal (Plan de sécurité civile de l’agglomération de Montréal) describes operations and responsibilities during emergencies and provides a framework for the strategic management cycle, which includes action, coordination, and communication between various decision centers. However, evacuation planning processes have not been described for any of these levels of government. Recognizing the necessity for evacuation planning, this paper proposes a three-step framework for earthquake evacuation planning for Montreal: (1) vulnerability assessment of the built environment and community demographics, (2) shelter and evacuation route planning, and (3) preparation of community evacuation maps. This paper also acknowledges the need for participatory and advocacy planning during the preparation of community evacuation plans.