Emergency Preparedness

If a disaster happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time to get to you as they help those in desperate need. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

Know the risks in your region

In Ontario, all regions are vulnerable to floods, earthquakes, storms and fires. In addition to natural disasters there are other types of risks. There are power outages, industrial accidents, major transportation accidents as well as acts of terrorism.

Step 1 - Make a plan

Preparing a plan is the first step to being prepared.

Your plan should include the following:

A family communications plan
Evacuation plan
Review of safety in your home - evacuation route
Emergency phone numbers
Fire and other safety
Utility shut-off procedures
Important documents
Emergency planning and safety beyond your home
Planning for special needs

Step 2 - Build a survival kit

Your emergency survival kit should have everything you need to be safe and take care of yourself for at least three days.

Your survival kit should include the following:

Food (non-perishable and easy to prepare items, enough for three days)
Bottled water (4 litres per person, per day)
Manual can-opener
Flashlight and batteries
Candles and matches/lighter
Radio (crank or battery-run)
Medication(s)
Extra keys for your car and house
Cash
A copy of your emergency plan and contact information

Pet emergency survival kit checklist

Prepare a pet emergency survival kit and keep it with your family kit. Be sure to check the expiry date of your contents twice a year.

Recommended additional items

Change of clothing
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
Whistle
Garbage bags
Toilet paper and other personal care supplies
Safety gloves
Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, work gloves)
Small fuel-driven stove and fuel
Two litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning

Basic car kit

Food that won't spoil (such as energy bars)
Water
Blanket
Extra clothing and shoes
Candle in a deep can and matches
First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
Warning light or road flares
Small shovel, scraper and snow brush
List of contact numbers

Recommended additional items to keep in your car

Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
Antifreeze, windshield washer fluid
Tow rope and jumper cables
Fire extinguisher
Roadmaps, whistle and flashlight

Step 3 - be informed

During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. Be sure to have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your survival kit in case of power outages.

For additional information on special considerations and extra supplies for evacuation, please visit the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services website.

Be informed

During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. Be sure to have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your survival kit in case of power outages.

National resources

In case of emergency:

Township Emergency Plan

Emergency management

All Ontario Municipalities must have an Emergency Management Program, according to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. These programs include:

Emergency plans
Training programs
Training exercises
Public education

Emergency management team

The emergency management team includes:

The Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC)
The Municipal Control Group (MCG) made up of the Mayor and Township Management staff

The Municipal Control Group works together to review, update and test the official Emergency Plan.

1 Ottawa St. East, PO Box 10, Havelock, Ontario K0L 1Z0
Toll Free 1-877-767-2795
Phone: 705-778-2308
Fax: 705-778-5248
Email: havbelmet@hbmtwp.ca