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Evacuation
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An evacuation happens when there is an urgent need to move people away from a threat or hazard. (e.g. a fire)
What to do:
- Close windows and doors behind you and turn off lights, if time permits
- Gather your personal belongings only if safe to do so
- Leave building or hazardous area through the closest exit or route unless instructed otherwise
- Do not use elevators
- Proceed to the designated meeting area as directed
- Do not re-enter the building or hazardous area until it is announced it is safe to do so
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Lockdown
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A lockdown is a security action used when there is an imminent violent incident or threat of a violent incident within a building, or when it is directly impacting the building. (e.g. an intruder).
What to do:
OR
- Move immediately to the nearest room you feel safe with as many people as possible
- Secure your hiding spot by locking the door and moving furniture in front of door
- Keep back from windows and doors
- Stay out of sight and low to the ground
- Turn off the lights or maintain minimal lighting
- Cover all windows with blinds or curtains if possible and safe to do so
- Place cell phones on silent and use them only if necessary
- Evacuate the washrooms if possible and get to an area which can be safely locked. If trapped, enter and lock the stall and climb on the toilet
- Keep calm and quiet
What if the fire alarm sounds?
- Do not respond to a fire alarm during a lockdown unless you see smoke
- Remain calm in your secure area, if safe to do so
- If there is an actual fire, follow evacuation procedures
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Hold and Secure
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A hold and secure is a security action used when it may be more dangerous to evacuate a building than to stay inside it. Movement in and out of a building is restricted and all external entrances are locked and monitored. Business continues to function within the building. This threat may be near but not inside the building or may related to the building (e.g. large protest outside).
What to do:
- Keep back from windows and doors and cover all windows with blinds or curtains, if possible and safe to do so
- All occupants within the facility are to remain inside until instructed otherwise
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Shelter in place – severe weather
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During a severe weather event, a shelter in place may be enacted if it is not safe to go outside.
What to do:
- Remain calm and stay away from any windows, outside walls and doors
- Move to a safe area, an interior room of the building such as a washroom or change room, stairwell or the basement
- No one should go outside
- Stay in your safe area until it is announced it is safe to leave
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How to survive a tornado
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1. Learn the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning.
Tornado Watch: conditions favourable for a tornado to develop. Keep alert and watch for changing weather conditions, and listen to weather updates.
Tornado Warning: a tornado has been sighted in your area, or has been picked up on radar. Seek shelter immediately.
2. Be prepared.
Have an emergency preparedness plan and kit ready that will be able to support you and your family to last at least 72 hours.
Have a plan. Know your escape route and meeting place. Practice!
3. Know what to do.
Indoors
- Go to the lowest level of the building (cellar, basement, etc.).
- If no basement, choose an inner hallway or smaller room with no windows.
- Stay away from windows, outside walls and doors.
- Get under a piece of sturdy furniture like a heavy table or desk and hold on.
- If in a mobile home – get out and find shelter elsewhere!
- Avoid places with wide-span roofs like cafeterias and shopping smalls.
- Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- Shut off power, gas and water.
Outdoors
- If possible, get inside a building.
- Lie in a ditch or a low area — or crouch near a strong building and stay away from fallen power lines.
In a vehicle
- If the tornado is close, leave the vehicle immediately and take cover in a low area. Never try to drive!
- Find shelter away from the vehicle
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Shelter in place – potential chemical
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Some types of chemical accidents can make it unsafe to go outdoors. When leaving the area is not possible it can be safer to stay indoors until the hazard has abated and winds have dissipated any vapours in the vicinity.
What to do:
- Close windows and doors
- Go to the highest point inside the building if possible, since most agents are heavier than air
- In a single-storey building, move to an interior room if possible
- Place a cloth or piece of clothing along the base of the door and over floor vents, if possible
- Remain inside until it is announced it is safe to leave
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Flood
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Flooding is a result of the rising and overflowing of a body of water especially onto normally dry land.
What to do:
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Prepare your property
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- Know where your property is located in relation to flood warning areas
- Check your lot is properly graded and that roof and eaves are draining properly in heavy rain
- Move valuables that may be subject to flooding to upper levels
- Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow values in basement flood drains
- Consider buying a portable generator and pump
- Consult your respective utility companies for instructions on how to safely shut off and protect your furnaces and other household equipment and for the necessary steps to take before restarting
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During a flood
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- Stay tuned to local media for warnings and advisories and visit www.lloydminster.ca
- Follow the instructions of emergency response officials, such as police, fire and municipal staff
- Remove valuable items from the basement and lower levels
- If you have a generator and/or portable pump, test them and have fuel on hand
- Make sure your sump pump is working
- Follow the instructions from your utility supplier (gas, electrical, propane, etc.) to safely shut down and protect furnaces and other appliances
- Prepare to evacuate if necessary. Collect necessary items such as cash, medication, important papers, identification and change of clothes
- Ensure your pets are not left alone during a flood by taking them to a kennel or leaving them with family and friends
- Do not attempt to drive on a road that has been closed due to flooding, obey the signs and take alternate routes
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After a flood
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Immediate Actions
- Contact ATCO or SaskPower to have your power shut off to prevent shock or electrocution in the event that water has risen above outlets, near the electrical panel, etc.
- If you suspect the flooding could be the result of a sewer back-up, do not use toilets and sinks unless it is absolutely necessary until the issue has been resolved. Any water sent down the drain may end up in your basement.
- Contact the City of Lloydminster by calling 780-872-5418 or visiting www.lloydminster.ca/reportaconcern to enter a self-service request.
- City staff will inspect the problem, assess the flooding and attempt to determine the source(s) of flooding.
Property Damage
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible and report property damage caused by the flooding.
- Take photos of damage caused by the flooding and keep receipts from emergency repair or clean-up work.
- If the flooding is a result of a blocked drain pipe, leaking foundation walls or poor lot drainage on your property, then you are responsible for repairs and any subsequent damage caused by flooding.
Health and Safety Considerations
- Be mindful of health and safety with a flooded basement. Homeowners may be exposed to waterborne diseases, corrosive cleaning agents and irritants found in leftover sludge from a flooded basement. Electrical accidents may occur because of contact with water and electricity. If possible, shut off electrical power.
- Consider hiring a professional cleaning company familiar with cleaning sewage contaminated basements.
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
- Dress appropriately – wear full-length clothing, gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots and a mask.
- Stay away from electrical equipment. Have a licensed electrical contractor assess the situation to determine if there are potential electrical hazards.
- Water could extinguish a pilot light on a gas appliance. If you detect gas, leave the house immediately and contact the gas company.
- Discard all contaminated items that cannot be washed and disinfected (i.e. textiles).
- Wash all surfaces with hot water and liquid detergent, rinse and thoroughly dry and ventilate the area.
- Sanitize walls and floors using a solution of household bleach (mix 1 cup bleach with 5 gallons of water).
- Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters.
- Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent.
- Discard any packaged or non-packaged food items that may have come in contact with the flood waters.
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