Requests for federal assistance
In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police and municipalities. If they need assistance at the local level, they request it from their province or territory. If the emergency escalates beyond their capacity, the province or territory seeks assistance from the federal government.
A request for federal assistance (RFA) is how a province or territory formally requests support from the federal government in their emergency response efforts. The RFA involves official communication and coordination between provincial, territorial or federal departments and Public Safety. It outlines the additional resources the jurisdiction needs for an effective response.
The province or territory submits a formal RFA to describe what they would need in federal government support for a successful emergency response. The well-established process in place for managing RFAs, through the Government Operations Centre (GOC), includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination.
RFAs can include support for:
- Operational Coordination;
- Emergency Evacuation, Transportation and logistics;
- Specialized Response Resources for Wildland Interface fires, flooding, hurricane and extreme weather; and
- Emergency Public Health, Medical and Social Services.
The GOC continues to coordinate formal requests for assistance from federal departments and provincial and territorial governments.
RFAs can range from straightforward to complex requiring significant and sustained responses. Public Safety’s regional offices and the GOC collaborate with the province or territory and other federal government partners to assess and address requests, whether through federal departments or non-government organizations.
Public Safety's Government Operations Centre is ready to respond to any situation, at any time. Its all-hazards approach to planning, response and support means the Government of Canada can adapt quickly, under any circumstance, when a province or territory asks for help.
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