Last week

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, launched Emergency Preparedness Week by announcing that the Government of Canada is giving $5 million to the provinces and territories to support emergency preparedness through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP). “Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder of the unpredictability of emergency situations and the importance of being prepared,” said Minister Day. “

This is the 13th anniversary for this national campaign and the Theme this year is "72 hours - Is your family prepared?” Emergency Preparedness Week is coordinated by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and other partners. You are encouraged to be ready to cope on your own for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency. This will allow the focus to be on those in urgent need by first responders.

BE PREPARED

Have a Basic Emergency Kit ready for use in case of an emergency. Your kit should contain the following in sufficient quantities to last "72 Hours"

Food and water - remember to replace them at regular intervals - minimum intervals once a year. Food that won't spoil, canned food, energy bars, dried foods and at least 2 liters of water per person per day

Power may be off for a while so include a manual can opener, flashlights and spare batteries along with a wind up or battery powered radio.

A first aid Kit including special needs items such as prescriptions or other medications, special bay formulas and special equipment for people with disabilities.

Extra Keys for your car and home.

Cash in smaller bills along with change for pay phones if required.

You need to include an Emergency Plan, make sure it has in town and out of town contact information.

Last but not least have it packed and ready to go in case you should have to evacuate your home. A suitcase on wheels is an ideal container for your "Kit"

What are the risks in Ontario

Some of the natural risks here in Ontario include flooding, severe storms, and forest fires. Some other risks may develop as a result of these or non natural events. A Transportation accident as simple as an automobile hitting a hydro pole could result in a power failures. A train derailment or tractor trailer accident could cause you to face evacuation due to the escape of toxic chemicals. The possibilities are numerous depending on where you live.

Severe Storms

Severe or sudden storms are possibly our most common threat as they can cause wide spread property damage and power outages as well as cause personal injuries. While we do not receive a lot of Mother natures worst storms in large numbers we have had ice storms, tornadoes and hurricanes affect areas of southern Ontario,

Power Outages

Perhaps our greatest threat with the combination of our aging transmission lines, severe weather conditions and a myriad of other factors that can suddenly leave us with out power. We depend on power to operate the various units in our home that keep our food fresh, our homes warm, and to power life giving equipment. The loss of power can very quickly turn into a personal disaster for those who depend on it for life giving equipment. An additional item to consider for your "emergency kit" would be a generator, and a short term fuel supply for it, capable of supplying at least the minimum amount of powere you would require in an emergency.

Flooding

We have passed the Spring Thaw Threat for flooding around Uxbridge, but flooding still remains a possibility due to heavy rains. Several Articles in the local press of late have commented on the concerns of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority involving the possibilities of flooding in the downtown core.

While it does not happen often we have had occasions where property in and around Uxbridge have been subjected to flooding. At risk is the downtown core and homes located on valley lands near local streams and rivers.

Forest or Grass Fires

The local risk is minimized by the controlling of outdoor burning by town bylaws and the ability of our first responders to act quickly to put down any threat.