Emergency Preparedness

Does your family have an emergency plan? Does your plan consider elderly relatives or neighbours that might need help during and emergency? What about pets?

If your family does not have a plan, or if it has not been updated recently, make or review your Emergency Plan by visiting the Ontario Government website.

In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Items that should be in your 72 hour kit include:

• Water - at least two litres of water per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
• Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year)
• Manual can-opener
• Flashlight and batteries
• Candles and matches or lighter (remember to place candles in sturdy containers and to put them out before going to sleep)
• Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries)
• First aid kit
• Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and pet supplies
• Equipment for people with disabilities
• Extra keys for your car and house
• Some cash in smaller bills
• Blankets

If you were seriously injured, what if there was a way you could help emergency personnel contact your family? The majority of people now carry a cell phone, but would someone who picked it up be able to determine who your emergency contact was?

The ICE concept is simple - save your emergency contact person's name with the letters ICE preceding it. For more than one contact, add a number. For example: ICE-1 John Doe, ICE-2 Jane Doe.

If emergency services personnel were able to use your phone, they would search ICE in your contacts and know who to call.

Talk to your friends and family; together we can help to ensure that our emergency services personnel can quickly get in touch with your emergency contact.

Prevention and preparedness are key goals for Emergency Management teams across Ontario. This enables staff to have a plan in place well in advance of any type of disaster or general multi-level emergency.

Emergency Management Ontario has guidelines and processes in place to assist Municipalities with pre-planning and proper steps to follow when the unthinkable does happen. Pre-planning is key to ensuring response and recovery strategies to maximize safety and security of Ontario and its residents.

The County of Peterborough Emergency Plan ensures the co-ordination of municipal, private and volunteer services in order to assist in organizing effective response and support to emergency situation. Their plan also allows for coordinated emergency support to municipalities in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Services Map