Emergency Preparedness

It's always best to know ahead of time what you and your family need to do in the event of an emergency.

Stay up-to-date

Social media

You can also follow us on social media:

We will also broadcast emergency information on display screens and signs throughout town.

Create an emergency kit

Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit with tools and supplies to help you and your family stay self-sufficient during an emergency.

Food and water

You should include non-perishable food as well as enough bottled water for everyone in your family (three litres a day per person).
Pets and livestock

Make sure that you have the following ready for each of your pets:

  • a carrier
  • a leash or harness
  • food and water
  • their medication

You should also keep a photo of your pet in case they go missing during an emergency.

Livestock

Your livestock should have enough water, feed and hay available.
Personal items and equipment

Your emergency kit should include:

  • flashlights and extra batteries
  • a radio that's hand-cranked or battery powered
  • a first aid kit
  • medication
  • money
  • keys
  • clothes
Documents and accessibility

You should include up-to-date emergency contacts, prescription information, and photos of each member of your family.

Accessibility

If a member of your family has accessibility issues, include a list of their adaptive equipment and any limitations.

The Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Special Needs has emergency preparedness information and advice for Canadians with accessibility issues, including seniors that have special needs.
Vehicle

Stay ready by keeping your vehicle's fuel topped up. You should keep a shovel, sand, salt and kitty litter in your trunk, as well as a first aid kit with a seatbelt cutter in each vehicle. Having have traction mats, tow chains and booster cables available is very useful during an emergency.

Prepare and plan

It's easier to stay calm if you have a plan and know what to do during an emergency. Your family should have a designated meeting place and a contact person who's out of town. Family member should check-in with their contact person if a disaster strikes.

Take the time to know your neighbours so that you know whom to reach out to in the event of an emergency. You can give an extra house key to someone who you trust in the community.

Review your home insurance policy and make sure that you're familiar with your coverage.

Power outage tips

You can prepare for a power outage by having:

  • a generator or back-up power source
  • a fireplace or wood-burning stove (with wood available)
  • flashlights and batteries
Flood tips

To prepare for flooding you can:

  • raise items in your basement to higher ground if possible
  • seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds

Here are some resources that may be helpful:

If a flood does occur, keep these phone numbers handy. Call:

  • Hydro One (1-800-434-1235) if water rises above your electrical outlets, baseboard heaters or furnace, or if it’s near your electrical panel.
  • 3-1-1 to report localized flooding on municipal roads, blocked storm sewer grates, or basement flooding.
  • 9-1-1 if you are in danger.
Severe weather tips

During severe weather, you should:

  • stay away from windows
  • use surge protectors
  • use mobile phones instead of land lines
  • shelter your pets and any livestock

Never bring a barbeque, charcoal grill, or a camp stove to heat or cook with inside your home.

Get Prepared

Our booklet, Get Prepared, has information about what to do during different hazards and emergencies. You can create your own family emergency plan step by step online.

Know where to go

In events of extreme weather, you and your family can go to warming/cooling centre. We open centres as needed.

Once confirmed by the Town, you can go to:

Emergency Response Plan

Our Community Emergency Response Plan helps emergency personnel and municipal staff in their response to emergencies that require fire, police, ambulance and public works services.