Home Newsroom 2006 News releases 2006-05-08: Emergency preparedness and you
Emergency management in CanadaCanadians may face a range of emergencies, from earthquakes to transportation accidents to the threat of terrorism. When an emergency happens, local authorities respond first, including hospitals, fire and police departments and municipal governments. If they need assistance, they request it from the provincial or territorial emergency management organization (EMO). The EMO, in turn, seeks assistance from the Government of Canada if the emergency escalates beyond its ability to respond effectively. Governments are working hard to prepare for emergencies of all kinds -- what about you? Is your family prepared? All Canadians should be ready to take care of themselves and their loved ones in an emergency for a minimum of 72 hours while rescue workers help those in desperate need. This is why the Government of Canada is releasing a new, three step emergency preparedness guide. Emergency preparedness guideThe Government of Canada’s new emergency preparedness guide shows Canadians how to prepare themselves and their families in three simple steps: - Knowing the risks in their area
- Making and practising emergency plans
- Making or purchasing an emergency kit
Making your emergency planEvery Canadian household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. Remember, your family may not be together when a disaster occurs. Plan how to meet or contact one another and discuss what you would do in different situations.
Your emergency plan should include the following: - Escape routes from your home and neighbourhood
- Safe meeting places
- Designated person(s) to pick up your children should you be unavailable
- Grab-and-go bag with medications and details of medical conditions
- Plan for your pets
- Emergency contact information including out-of-town and family contacts, doctors, etc.
- Safe home instructions with location of fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box and gas valve
Preparing a kitIn an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Preparing a kit for your home and one for your car can make all the difference during an emergency. Your basic emergency kit should 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)
- Manual can-opener
- Flashlight and batteries
- Candles and matches or lighter
- Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries)
- First aid kit
- Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities
- Extra set of keys for your car and house
- Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
Your basic emergency car kit should include: - 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 snowbrush
- List of contact numbers
More detailed information on emergency risks, plans and kits can be found at www.epweek.ca or by calling 1 800 O-Canada. Emergency preparedness guide content was developed in collaboration with a number of partners, including the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance and the Salvation Army.
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