Emergency Preparedness

Know the risks: Learn the types of hazards that can occur in our County. 

Being better prepared is all about having a plan and making sure everyone in your family knows what to do in an emergency. 

Consider the following questions;

• What are your two escape routes from your house and your neighbourhood?
• Where will you meet if the family gets separated?
• Who can pick up the kids?
• Do you have readily available Close-by and out-of-town alternate contact information of names, telephone numbers and addresses?
• What will you do with your pets?

Make an Emergency Plan

Building a 72 hour Emergency kit incase you need to shelter in place or leave your home immediately. Your kit should contain essential items for you, your family and your pets to survive for a minimum of three days or 72 hours at home. 

Essentials

• Three day supply of drinking water (4 litres per person per day) and non-perishable food for your household, including pets
• Cash
• Phone charger
• Can-opener 
• Battery powered or crank radio 
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit and emergency blanket
• Personal toiletries (tooth brush, prescription glasses etc.)
• Prescriptions and special medical supplies for family
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Important personal papers, including contact information for you 
• Extra car and house keys
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Copy of your emergency plan and contact information

Make sure your medications are written down and stored all together in an easily accessible location.

How to build a emergency kit for your vehicle.

How to build a emergency kit for your pets.

• Arrange in advance for someone to check on you in the event of an emergency
• If you rely on life-sustaining equipment/apparatus that requires electricity, develop a back up plan in case there is a power outage
• Work with your family or healthcare provider to develop a plan and build a kit for your specific needs

Disabilities & Special Needs Guide for Emergency Preparedness

Insurance can help you replace what’s lost, and help cover your expenses if you are forced to leave your home during an emergency. Discuss your needs with an insurance representative.

As a home owner or tenant, you are legally responsible for any damage you cause to any part of your building and for unintentional harm caused to others who live in or visit the property. For example:

• If your known faulty toaster oven starts a fire that damages not only your apartment, but the entire complex, you may have to pay for the damage to your unit and the rest of the complex.
• If someone slips and falls in your rental condo, you may be held financially responsible for the cost of the injured person’s damages.
• If your clothing, furniture or electronics are destroyed by fire or water damage, replacement costs add up.

For more information, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s  website.

During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels, follow official social media accounts for the latest information, and track other emergency resources. 

Emergency Resources

What to do if you need to "shelter-in-place". This means you must remain inside your home or location and protect yourself there. 

What to do if you are asked to evacuate. Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger. 

What to do with your your pets during an evacuation.

Do not return home until you are notified by officials it is safe to do so. Find general instructions here on what to do after an emergency that apply to many emergencies but not every situation is the same.

This program must be activated by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for your affected area in order for you to be eligible to apply for financial help to recover costs after a natural disaster.  

For more information on this program, find activated areas and applications, visit Ontario disaster recovery assistance.