Toronto and the GTA continues to welcome warmer than usual temperatures. When we officially welcomed winter during last year's holiday season, we didn't see much snow. We’ve continued to gear up accordingly with flu shots, vitamins and
warm clothing. But are we prepared to
respond to an emergency as a family? Are we prepared to care for our families
in such emergencies that present in the immediate environment? It is important
that those families affected be able to support each other for up to 72 hours
after an emergency as the time for incident response may vary (1).
It all begins with knowing!
Only then can you create a plan and finally produce an emergency kit.
Environmental emergencies can range from winter storms to
spring floods. Consider the following example of a winter snow storm that
overwhelms the local region’s ability to react competently. The massive snow
fall cuts out electricity/power to various neighbourhoods. Additionally, the heavy
weather conditions make it difficult for securing safety in shelters and
attaining additional resources.
Are you prepared to care for your family members in these
circumstances?
Since emergencies will vary by region, severity and form,
your preparedness begins with getting to know what you are locally susceptible
to. Visit the getprepared.ca website and connect with applicable social media
platforms such as Twitter (@Get_Prepared) for LIVE updates (1). Our provinces
take charge of the response to emergencies and here in Ontario with the exception
for Pandemic Influenza, Emergency Management Ontario will mobilize its
resources to protect the health of communities (2).
Your next step is to “make
a plan”! Why make a plan? If you’d like to ensure the safety and wellness
of your family, it is imperative that you make a plan. You can create your
individualized emergency preparedness action plan by using the beprepared.emergencymanagementontario.ca
platform. The website will help you create a plan that’s tailored for you and
your loved ones. Consider the aforementioned situation and that you own a pet?
It’s important to note that emergency shelters may not take in pets. So do you
know of appropriate assistance programs? In addition to this, if you’re unable
to contact a family member; is he or she aware of the safe meeting place
location that everyone picked in advance? These are all important informed
decisions to be made when one is not in crisis. (3)
Once you’ve prepared yourself you must create an emergency kit that’s capable of supporting your entire
family. For an entire list of contents, use the following LINK.
Take a few minutes to watch this short video
on building an emergency kit. Such a checklist is crucial to surviving an
emergency. For example, the emergency kit may instruct you to get 4 liters of
bottled water per person per day. Remember that you need to make this kit
viable for 72 hours. (4) These preparedness tools will ensure that your social
unit is fully equipped to handle an emergency situation. Use the same virtual
resource to sign up for alerts in the region to keep you informed. (5)
Your health and that
of your family members is very important! During an emergency this is directly
proportional to your level of preparedness. So be prepared!
References
(1) Government of
Canada. (2015, December 25). Home - Hazards and Emergencies - Regional
Hazards - Ontario. Retrieved from Get Prepared:
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/rgnl/on-en.aspx
(2) Government of
Canada. (2015, December 25). Your Emergency Preparedness Guide.
Retrieved from Get Prepared:
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx#s1
(3) Ministry of
Community Safety and Correctional Services. (2015, December 25). Be Informed.
Retrieved from Be Prepared:
http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/Step3BeInformed/Step3_be_informed.html
(4) Ministry of
Community Safety and Correctional Services. (2015, December 25). Be Prepared.
Retrieved from Emergency Management Ontario:
http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/Step1MakeAPlan/Step1_make_a_plan.html
(5) Ministry of
Community Safety and Correctional Services. (2015, December 25). Build a Kit.
Retrieved from Be Prepared:
http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/Step2BuildAKit/Step2_build_a_kit.html
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