Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Plan
In the event of a disaster or emergency you are your family should be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. In addition to home and car Emergency Kits, you should have an Emergency Plan for your home and place of work. If you have pets, children or individuals with special needs or disabilities, you may need to take additional steps to ensure safety during an emergency. For additional planning guides visit the Government of Canada’s Get Prepared website.
Identify risks: Know the risks associated with your region and community. Visit the Canadian Disaster Database to read about the different risks across Canada, visit GetPrepared.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622 6232) to learn more.
Floods are the most frequent natural disaster in Canada and although we often associate flooding with warm weather, flood can happen at any time of the year. Heavy rainfall, rapid melting of thick snow pack, ice jams, or the failure of natural or man-made dams can cause flooding[1]. To learn more about the type of emergency events that impact your region use the Canadian Disaster Database.
Make a Household Plan
- Locate emergency exits in your home for each room. Practice your household escape routes at least once a year.
- Identify evacuations routes out of your neighbourhood in case you have to evacuate quickly.
- Assign roles to each member of the household (i.e one person in charge of gathering the pets or calling emergency contacts)
- Teach members of your household how to shut off water, electricity and gas safely. Consider installing large signs near gas/water/electrical shut off valves or switches
- Learn how to open a garage door manually in case you are without power
- Designate a meeting place:
– Choose a safe place near home (in case of an event like a fire)
– Also choose a safe place outside immediate neighbourhood (in the event of evacuation)
– Identify evacuation routes in case of evacuation
- Have a family communication plan and include the following phone numbers in your Emergency Plan:
– Phone number of a contact (friend or family member) in the same town/city
– Phone number of a contact in a different town/city
Make a Workplace Plan
- Learn about the emergency plans at your workplace. Locate fire alarms, emergency exits, meeting points and the designated safety personnel or floor wardens.
- Consider keeping some basic supplies like water and non-perishable food at your desk in case you are forced to stay a work
Workplace Safety
Weather conditions can impact public transit routes, school buses, and schedules. Check in with your transit provider or school district to see if you have been impacted.
For workplace/ employment information during a State of Emergency (http://humanservices.alberta.ca/16744.html)
Basic Emergency Kit
The Government of Canada recommends individuals prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Be sure to include non-perishable food, bottled water, special needs items like prescription medication and infant formula, extra keys and cash[1, 2].
| Checklist | Items |
| Flashlight/lamp: battery operated or wind up |
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| Candles and waterproof matches | |
| Battery-operated/wind up radio | |
| Food: choose food will stay fresh for at least 12 months (canned/dried food, energy bars, crackers, cereals, canned juice, trail mix) and replace yearly. | |
| Water: at least 4L/person and be sure to include small bottles for carrying | |
| Manual Can Opener | |
| Blankets | |
| First Aid Kit | |
| Extra Batteries | |
| Cash: include small bills and change | |
| Special Needs Items: prescription medication, diapers or formula for infants, equipment for people with disabilities | |
| Cell phone charger | |
| Pet food and essential supplies | |
| Clothing: change of clothes, waterproof/weather appropriate clothing, spare shoes/socks | |
| Emergency Documents* |
Click here to download a Basic Emergency Kit checklist
- Copies of important documents should also be included in an Emergency Kit inside a waterproof container. Be sure to include the following[2]:
- Legal documents (birth and marriage certificates, wills, passports, contracts)
- Insurance policies
- Credit card/s
- Prepaid phone cards
- Copy of your emergency plan and contact information including in-town and out-of-town contact information
Other Emergency Supplies
Other helpful supplies include[3]:
| Checklist | Items |
| Two additional litres of water per person per day: Place in sturdy containers and do not burn unattended | |
| Candles and matches or lighter: Place in sturdy containers and do not burn unattended | |
| Change of clothing and footwear: For each household member | |
| Sleeping bag or warm blanket: For each household member | |
| Toiletries | |
| Hand sanitizer | |
| Toilet paper | |
| Utensils | |
| Garbage bags | |
| Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets | |
| Basic tools: Hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife | |
| Small fuel-operated stove and fuel | |
| Whistle: To attract attention | |
| Duct tape |
Additional but not essential
Alberta Emergency Management Agency also recommends including toys if you have small children in an Emergency Kit as familiar items may bring comfort during stressful times. Additionally, consider sealing liquid items in sealable plastic bags to avoid spills.
Emergency Car Kit
Emergency preparedness should also include your vehicle. Items found in the home Emergency Kit should also be included in an Emergency Car Kit with a few important additions[4]
Winter Driving Emergency Kit
| Checklist | Items |
| Food: non-perishable | |
| Water: in plastic bottles so they won’t break if frozen | |
| Blanket | |
| Extra clothing: including shoes, socks and weather appropriate clothing | |
| First Aid Kit: include a seatbelt cutter | |
| Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush | |
| Candle: in a deep can and matches | |
| Wind-up flashlight | |
| Whistle | |
| Roadmaps | |
| Copy of emergency plan and personal documents |
Click here to download an Emergency Car kit checklist
Additional Truck Emergency Tools
| Checklist | Items |
| Sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter | |
| Anti-freeze or washer fluid | |
| Tow rope | |
| Jumper cables | |
| Fire extinguisher | |
| Warning light or road flares | |
| Basic Tools including a hammer, wrench, work gloves and pocket knife. |
Camping, Hiking & Backpacking
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Bring enough water to stay hydrated throughout the trip. Unless you have a purification kit, don’t drink water from rivers or lakes incase of water-borne parasites or microorganisms.
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Check current and predicted weather conditions before leaving. Understand approaching storm conditions. During lightning storms, avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams and rocks.
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Travel with one or more partner(s). Groups of four is strongly advised whenever possible, but specifically when traveling into remote areas.
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Research intended travel area and schedule approximate travel time to avoid arriving in the dark.
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Know your environment and understand potential risks associated with the activity. Always ensure you’re within your comfort zone
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Wear proper safety equipment and ensure it correctly (i.e. helmet, life jacket, avalanche beacon etc.)
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Learn basic first aid to help if injuries or symptoms of illness occur.
- Do not mix alcohol or drug use with any sport. Judgement, balance and agility are all reduced with alcohol consumption.
- The “Essentials Backpack List” prepares for minor injuries, sudden weather changes or delays.
[1] Basic Emergency Kit. Get Prepared, Government of Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/bsc-kt-eng.aspx
[2] 72 Hour Emergency Kit. Alberta Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved from: http://www.aema.alberta.ca/72_hour_emergency_kit.cfm
[3] Additional Emergency Supplies. Get Prepared,Government of Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/ddtnl-eng.aspx
[4] Emergency Car Kit. Get Prepared, Government of Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/cr-kt-eng.aspx