Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO)

The Shelburne County Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) plays a key role in helping our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. REMO is a regional partnership between the Municipality of Barrington, the Town of Clark's Harbour, the Municipality of Shelburne, the Town of Shelburne, and the Town of Lockeport, operating under the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Act.

By working together at a regional level, the participating municipalities and towns are better able to coordinate resources, share information, and respond effectively when emergencies affect more than one community.

What REMO Does

Shelburne County REMO is responsible for regional emergency planning and coordination. This includes developing and maintaining emergency management plans, identifying local and regional risks, and working closely with first responders, municipal staff, provincial agencies, and community partners. REMO supports municipalities before, during, and after emergencies to help ensure a coordinated and effective response.

Emergencies can take many forms, including severe weather events, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, extended power outages, hazardous material incidents, or other situations that pose a risk to public safety, property, or the environment.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. While REMO works with municipalities and response agencies to plan for emergencies, residents also play an important role in being prepared. REMO supports preparedness efforts by promoting awareness, encouraging household emergency planning, and helping ensure municipalities are ready to respond when needed.

Residents are encouraged to have an emergency plan in place and to keep an emergency kit with enough supplies to support their household for at least 72 hours.

During an Emergency

When a significant emergency occurs, Shelburne County REMO may activate an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The EOC provides a central location for coordinating response efforts, sharing information, and supporting decision-making across municipalities and agencies. This helps ensure that actions taken during an emergency are timely, organized, and focused on protecting public safety.

During emergencies, residents should rely on official communication channels for accurate and up-to-date information. Public updates may be shared through municipal websites, social media accounts, local media, and official emergency alerts when required.

Recovery and Community Support

After an emergency, REMO continues to work with municipal and provincial partners to support recovery efforts. This may include coordinating damage assessments, helping communities access recovery programs and services, and supporting a safe return to normal operations. Recovery can take time, and REMO’s role is to help ensure that municipalities and residents are supported throughout that process.

Working Together

Shelburne County REMO works closely with the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management, fire services, police, emergency medical services, public works, utilities, and volunteer organizations. This collaborative approach strengthens regional preparedness and helps ensure a consistent and effective response across Shelburne County.

Extreme Weather Preparation

If an emergency happens, it may take emergency workers some time to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

Learn how quick and easy it is to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere by using this guide to create your own emergency plan. Use the checklists to build a 72-hour emergency kit. These basic steps will help you take care of yourself and your loved ones during an emergency. 

There are also emergency preparedness guides available for persons with disabilities and older adults living in Nova Scotia. These guides can help you to be ready in case a disaster or an emergency happens here. Here they are:

There are also simple and inexpensive actions that can be taken to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact on your safety and property. Here are five infographics outlining simple, easy to implement mitigation strategies to address the threat of extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires. 

  • Steps to Cost Effective Apartment Heat Protection
  • Steps to Cost Effective Home Heat Protection
  • Steps to a Cost Effective FireSmart Home
  • Wildfire Ready Community
  • Steps to Cost Effective Home Flood Protection

Wildfire-Ready

Here are two plain language, image-based infographics, designed to help with the implementation of practical actions tht can be taken to be wildfire ready:

Water Supply Upgrade Lending Program

In response to drought conditions experienced in our area in the fall of 2016, the Province amended the MGA to allow municipalities the power to lend money for new wells and cisterns.

We offer a Water Supply Upgrade Lending Program which allows residents to borrow money from the Municipality to construct a new dug or drilled well or upgrade an existing well that is required to source water. The maximum lending amount is $15,000 and it is repayable up to a maximum of 10 years at a 3% interest rate.

The by-law regulating the program can also be accessed here for more information: https://barringtonmunicipality.com/2721-by-law-no-37-water-supply-upgrade-lending-program/file.

Nova Scotia Guard


Nova Scotia has a long history of neighbours helping neighbours. And today, it’s more important than ever.

 

The Nova Scotia Guard was created so that Nova Scotians can be prepared for the challenges we face today and is comprised of volunteers who are committed to supporting the work of first responders and assisting their communities when they need it the most.

 

No matter your skills or background, there is a role for every Nova Scotian in the Guard.

 

To learn more about the Guard, visit https://nsguard.ca/.