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This brochure contains valuable information that can help your family to prepare for any emergency that might occur in our community. Please take the time to read it and share it with your family members.
EMERGENCIES CAN HAPPEN!
Emergencies and disasters can occur anytime, anywhere. Some are seasonal and allow time for preparations; others occur swiftly and without warning. Communications, transportation, utilities and other essential services could be disrupted by disasters, forcing you to rely initially on your own resources for food, water, first aid, transportation and shelter. Organizations prepare for emergencies with thorough planning. Individuals and families should do the same based on the kinds of emergencies that can occur in their region and community. Although the emergency incident may vary, the elements of an effective response are often the same.
Natural events can include snow storms, ice storms, wind storms, thunder storms, hail storms, fires, floods or tornadoes. Other potential emergencies such as dangerous goods spills or train derailments are caused by technological or human failures. For more information on certain types of emergencies, the following "Self-Help Advice" brochures prepared by Public Safety Canada and SAFEGUARD Secretariat may be helpful: "Tornadoes," "Winter Power Failures", and "Severe Storms."
No matter where you live, the following basic preparedness actions can help you in any emergency.
Listen to local radio, television and cable stations for forecasts and emergency instructions and arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification.
Post emergency numbers by every phone.
Be familiar with the emergency plans in your workplace and in your children’s school or daycare, and leave written backup care arrangements with the school or daycare in case you can’t get there right away in an emergency.
Develop a Family Emergency Plan
Have a family meeting to discuss potential emergency situations. Talk about what each family member is responsible for. Ensure that elderly family members, who may not live with you, are included in your emergency plan.
Include individuals with special needs in your planning; include an alternate plan for your pets.
Maintain a list of the family’s required medications, prescribed dosages, and the names and telephone numbers of family doctors. If you use a pacemaker or other medical equipment, keep the make and model, serial number and other pertinent information with you at all times.
If important family papers or photos are kept at home, store them in a portable, fireproof, and waterproof container.
Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by a disaster or emergency. Pick two meeting places: (1) a location at a safe distance from your home in case of fire; and, (2) a place outside your neighbourhood in case you cannot return home.
Also establish what is the best location to be in the event of a tornado. A basement is the best place. If you do not have a basement, shelter in an interior ground floor room, staying away from outside walls or windows. Do not take shelter in buildings with large roof spans, such as gymnasiums or churches, as their roofs are more likely to collapse during a tornado. If you are caught in one of these types of buildings, take cover under a sturdy structure. If you are caught driving, do not stay in your car. Lie down in a ditch or low lying area away from your vehicle. Watch for flying debris.
A hazard audit of your home can not only increase your safety but can also help you respond more effectively to an emergency or disaster (fire, electrical, water, flammable materials, etc.). Identify all potential hazards and rectify them. Identify all potential exits. Locate the safest area to gather in the event of a tornado.
Insurance for most perils is readily available for homes and their contents; businesses, stock, equipment; and vehicles of all types. Check regularly with your insurance agent or broker to ensure you have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage, including any extensions in coverage that may be available. Be aware that government disaster recovery programs will not compensate for damage and loss for which insurance was readily and reasonably available. Keep a detailed photo or video inventory of your property in a safe location (emergency kit). It will be invaluable in the event of a loss.
Prepare Your List of Important Emergency Numbers
Create a list of important emergency numbers and put a copy by every phone. Your list should include, at a minimum, numbers for the following: Police; Fire; Doctor; Ambulance; Work Numbers; School Numbers; Daycare Numbers, Utility Companies; Relatives; and Neighbors.
Maintain a Supply of Food and Emergency Items
A major emergency or disaster could isolate you in your home for several days. Gas or electricity for cooking, heating and refrigeration may not be available. Be prepared with a stock of items for emergency use. A check list follows that might be of use in preparation of your Emergency Kit:
Medications required by family members.
Foods required for special diets or baby foods.
Battery-powered radio and flashlight in working order, with extra batteries.
A first aid kit and a first aid manual.
All-purpose fire extinguisher (rated A-B-C).
Waterproof matches, candles and tin can. Ensure that candles are used safely.
A three-day supply of canned, packaged, or non-perishable food items for each member of the family. Include a manual can-opener.
A three-day supply of drinking water for each member of the family, sealed in unbreakable containers (replace stored tap water every few months). Adults need at least 1 litre of drinking water a day.
An alternative heat source and an adequate supply of fuel. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Make sure there is adequate ventilation to prevent the build-up of hazardous fumes. Do not operate devices such as home generators indoors.
Additional
information regarding Emergency Kits can be obtained by clicking on
this link:
http://www.getprepared.ca/kit/kit_e.asp
Be Prepared to Evacuate Your Home or Workplace
Do not assume an evacuation will last only a few hours. Plan to evacuate with enough items to keep your family comfortable. Consider adding appropriate items to your emergency supplies.
Warm and waterproof clothing, and any other items appropriate for the time of year.
Extra food, including pet food.
Cash and credit cards.
Materials to comfort and/or amuse children & adults (favourite blanket, toy, or stuffed animal, cards, games, reading material).
Sleeping bags or blankets in a waterproof bag.
Ensure your vehicle is in good operating condition and well equipped for winter driving with spare tire, shovel, sand, tow chain, compass, flares, extra clothing and footwear, booster cables, fire extinguisher, gasline antifreeze, emergency food and water, road maps, flashlights, first aid kit, blankets, and always keep you vehicle fully fuelled. If you get stuck in a snow storm, do not panic. Ensure your tailpipe is not blocked and maintain fresh air in your vehicle at all times. Stay in your car, dress warm, and run your motor sparingly. You can use candles for heat and light. Use interior lights rather than headlights, as they can run down your battery, but be sure to set up flares or some type of warning light for other travellers to see.
Evacuation Procedures During an Emergency
Keep phone lines open for use by emergency workers.
Listen to local radio, television or cable broadcasts for emergency instructions and current information.
Assemble the food and supplies you plan to take with you. Refer to lists of family medications, records and irreplaceable items (see Develop a Family Emergency Plan).
Follow the instructions of your local authority about whether to switch off utility services. In the case of some gas and propane appliances that are manually operated, it would be wise to shut off the gas supply if the appliance is going to be unattended. In the case of severe cold weather, it would also be wise to shut off the water supply and empty all lines to prevent lines from breaking and flooding the house while you are gone. If power lines are down, proceed with extreme caution and keep back a minimum of 10 metres from wires, and always assume the lines are live.
Follow the instructions and advice of your municipal government. If you are asked to evacuate, do so promptly. Travel only on routes that are specified or recommended by your local municipality.
A reception centre may be set up to provide food, shelter and information to people affected by an emergency. If you are going somewhere other than the reception centre, advise the reception centre or municipal government of your location.
This brochure has been prepared by the City of Lloydminster for the benefit of all residents, utilizing information from Alberta Disaster Services, Saskatchewan Emergency Planning, Canadian Red Cross, Emergency Preparedness Canada, and SAFE GUARD Secretariat. For further information, the following contacts may be of assistance:
Local Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) Coordinator
Roger H. Brekko
City of Lloydminster
4420 –
50 Avenue
Lloydminster,
SK/AB T9V 0W2
Telephone:
(780) 871-8326
www.lloydminster.ca
Alberta Disaster Services
Alberta
Municipal Affairs
Telephone:
(780) 422-9000
Outside
Edmonton, toll free 310-0000 and ask to be connected to 422-9000
www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca
Canadian Red Cross
Northern
Alberta: (780) 423-2680
Outside
Edmonton, toll free 1-800-565-4483
Southern
Alberta: (403) 541-6100
www.redcross.ca
Saskatchewan Emergency Planning
Saskatchewan
Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing
Telephone:
(306) 787-9563
www.cpsp.gov.sk.ca
Saskatchewan
Emergency Planners Association
www.saskepa.ca
Public Safety Canada
Telephone: 1-800-830-3118
OR
(613) 991-3301
http://www.getprepared.ca/index_e.asp
OR
http://publicsafety.gc.ca/index-en.asp
Safe Canada
Telephone: 1-800-622-6232
OR
(613) 944-4875
http://www.safecanada.ca/topic_e.asp?category=4
Environment
Canada Weather Services
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html
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