An emergency coordination centre (ECC) is a central location used to coordinate the response and recover efforts during a disaster or major incident.  While the Incident Command Post (ICP) manages tactical on-scene operations, the ECC assists by supporting and coordinating activities, resources, and information.  Emergency coordination centres are usually activated at the request of the ICP or by municipal officials when local resources or capabilities are exceeded during an emergency.  The primary purpose is to provide comprehensive jurisdictional direction, control, coordination, and resource support during emergencies.  

Roles of the Emergency Coordination Centre

The ECC does not directly oversee on-scene response efforts, but it fulfills critical roles by:

1) Gathering, assessing, and distributing incident information, including public alerts, public information, and emergency notifications.
2) Analyzing jurisdictional impacts, maintaining maps and display boards, and establishing priority response actions. 
3) Handling requests, acquiring, and managing the use of resources (such as personnel and equipment) from various organizations. 
4) Coordination and communicating with federal, provincial, local governments, and other involved agencies. 
5) Developing plans for ensuring the continuity of government actions.
6) Documenting and tracking response resources and efforts. 
7) Serves as a single point for coordinating jurisdictional direction, control, and support for response efforts and resources. 
8) Coordinate plans and planning for short and long-term needs. 

The last time Annapolis REMO activated its Emergency Coordination Centre was during the West Dalhousie / Long Lake Wildfire Complex.  The ECC was activated on August 13th, 2025 and continued operations until October 6th, 2025.  Despite the wildfire being under control at this point, coordinating of recovery efforts is still ongoing and will be for at least several months following the end of the disaster.