The Community of Miltonvale Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
In the Event of an Emergency…
When it comes to emergency preparedness and emergency management, we ALL have a role to play.
Individuals and families must take responsibilities for themselves.
Take steps to prepare for emergencies, and make an emergency plan.
Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency.
Have an emergency survival kit for your home and your vehicle. Understand the basic principles of first aid and safety. Take the time BEFORE a disaster happens to become familiar with how you can protect yourself and your family. Check out www.getprepared.ca and the Emergency Measures Organization
Different levels of organizations respond progressively as an emergency escalates and their resources are needed.
First Responders – i.e. fire, police, paramedics
Local fire, police, paramedic, and search and rescue teams are normally the first to respond to an emergency. Call 911 to contact them when an emergency occurs.
Non-government organizations
There are several non-profit, non-government organizations (NGOs) that play very important roles in emergency management, including disaster prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Some examples include the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance and The Salvation Army. They work in partnership with governments to help Canadians deal with emergencies, from providing first aid training to disaster relief.
Municipal Government
The Community of Miltonvale Park has recently established a Municipal Emergency Management Commitee with Gail Ling as chair. The committee will be reviewing the emergency plan for the community. The plan would be put into effect, if the Chair of Council were to proclaim a “Local State of Emergency”. Each Councillor has a role to play, and with the help of community members, would provide as much assistance as possible in an emergency. If you think the community should be notified of an emergency, contact the following: Council office 368-3090 or Administrator Shari MacDonald at 566-2738 (h) or Gail Ling 368-2826 (h) or 629-5106 (c).
The community has contracted the gymnasium of Bluefield High School as an emergency shelter, if one is needed for the community, and a local state of emergency is declared. Council has also compiled a list of residents who may have equipment or specialized training that would be able to help out in an emergency, and as well, Council is making a list of residents who may be more vulnerable in an emergency.
Responsibility for meeting most emergencies/disasters normally rests with those directly affected. No community is equipped to handle all the demands of an emergency. Help your community by preparing yourself. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do before, during and after an emergency.
Provincial Government
Prince Edward Island has an Emergency Management Organization (EMO), which manages large-scale emergencies and provides assistance to municipal or community response teams as required.
Federal government
Federal departments and agencies support provincial or territorial EMOs as requested. They also manage emergencies that involve areas of federal jurisdiction, such as nuclear safety, national defence and border security.
You should have an emergency plan in place and be prepared to do what is reasonably possible to protect yourself and your family. Know what to do before an emergency strikes. Know how to protect yourself during the emergency and be prepared to keep your family safe after the emergency has past.
If the emergency is serious enough, you may decide to evacuate on your own or you may be asked to leave your home and go to a nearby evacuation centre, like a Bluefield High School gym or the Milton Community Hall.
If you have to evacuate:
- Leave immediately.
- Take your Emergency Survival Kit with you.
- Listen to the radio and follow instructions from local emergency officials.
- If you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity.
- Make arrangement for pets. Most shelters do NOT accept pets.
- Wear clothes and shoes appropriate to conditions.
- Lock the house.
- Follow the routes specified by the officials. Don’t take shortcuts. A shortcut could take you to a blocked or dangerous area.
- If you have time, leave a note telling others when you left and where you went. If you have a mailbox, you could leave the note there.
- If you are evacuated, sign up with the registration centre so you can be contacted or reunited with your family and loved ones.
- If you have to evacuate your home for a prolonged period during a winter power failure, drain the water from the plumbing system. Starting at the top of the house, open all taps, flush toilets several times and open the drain valve in the basement. Drain your hot water tank by attaching a hose to the tank drain valve and running it to the basement floor drain. (If you drain a gas-fired water tank, the pilot light should be turned off -- the local gas supplier should be called to re-light it!). Unhook washing-machine hoses and drain.
Checklists
Think of any special needs that someone in your family might have. Include any other items that your family would need. Here are some suggestions.
- Babies / Children - Toddlers - diapers, bottled milk, toys, crayons and paper
- Other family members - At least one week supply of prescription medication and copies of prescriptions for medicines and glasses, extra eye glasses
- Pets - food - Have at least a three-day supply of food and water on hand. Choose ready-to-eat foods that your family likes. And choose food that doesn't need refrigeration.
You should have an Emergency Survival Kit packed and ready to go ahead of time both in your home and in your car that will keep you self sufficient for at least three days.
Home Survival Kits:
Keep these supplies in an easy to find spot in your home in case you need them in an emergency:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Radio and batteries
- First aid kit
- Candles and matches
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Cash and coins for pay telephone
- Food and bottled water
- Extra set of clothing
- Sleeping bag
- Personal supplies (toilet paper, soap)
- Medication (have at least 1 week supply of medication in your kit and include copies of your prescriptions)
- Duffle bag to carry these supplies in case you have to evacuate
- Whistle (great for attracting someone’s attention)
- Games or cards
- Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
Large orange garbage bags make great rain ponchos!
Car Survival Kits:
It is recommended that the following items be kept in the trunk of your car: - Shovel
- Sand or salt
- Traction mats
- Tow chain
- Compass
- Cloth or roll of paper towels
- Warning light or road flares
- Set of extra clothing and footwear
- Emergency food pack
- Booster cables
- Ice scraper and brush
- Road maps
- Matches and a candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light
Food & Water Kit:
Have at least a three day supply of food and water on hand. Choose ready to eat foods that don’t need refrigeration.
Drinking Water:
Have at least one litre per person per day.
Food: - canned food, soups, beans, meat, vegetables, fruits
- crackers
- honey, peanut butter, jam, sugar, instant coffee and tea
- baby food and formula
- special dietary requirements
- pet food
Equipment: - knives, forks, spoons
- disposable cups and plates
- can opener, bottle opener
Before an Emergency:
Keep well informed by listening to the latest warnings and advisories on radio, television, or the Environment Canada and Canadian Hurricane Centre Web site. Make sure you have a battery operated radio and spare batteries.
Check your insurance Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for the range of risks in your community.
Arrange for a meeting place ahead of time with family members. When a severe storm strikes, members of your household may be at work, school or a friend's place.
Reduce the Hazards by securing everything that might be blown around or torn loose - both indoors and outdoors. Flying objects such as garbage cans, lawn furniture and unsecured metal roofing can injure people and damage property. Trim dead or rotting branches and remove dead trees entirely. If flooding is forecast then you may also want to remove all chemical products from your basement and move essential belongings to upper level. You should consider checking the drainage around the house to reduce the possibility of your basement flooding after a heavy rain.
Pack an Emergency Survival Kit as power is vulnerable during a weather related emergency and can be lost for extended periods of time. Store drinking water in containers and tubs; have food available that needs no refrigeration or little cooking; make sure flashlights are available as well as spare batteries.
In case you may have to Evacuate, make sure your emergency kit is readily available: it should include a first aid kit, food and bottled water, cash, medication (at least one week supply), personal supplies, special items for infants, or elderly and a change of clothing. If you require special health arrangements make those ahead of time in case you lose power or have to evacuate. If you are in doubt about evacuating prior to the storm, keep in mind that roads to safer areas may become flooded and impassable before the main portion of the storm arrives.
Plan ahead. Learn about the most likely threats to Islanders. This PEI Government webpage-lists the most likely events which could result in an emergency, according to season, and information which could help you and your family
-Blizzards, Severe Thunder & Lightning
- Floods
- Follow PEI Public Safety on Twitter: http://twitter.com/PEIPublicSafety
and Facebook: PEIPublicSafety
During the Emergency:
Keep well informed: Make sure you have your battery operated radio nearby and listen to the latest warnings and advisories. Remember you may be able to listen to your car radio, if you have no other radio.
Choose your shelter: If you have not been advised to evacuate and your house is out of danger and is well built, then plan to stay home during the storm. It is important to remain indoors during a storm. A basement, or closet beneath the stairs, are good places to take shelter in the event of a severe windstorm. If none of these are available, sit underneath a sturdy piece of furniture or on the ground floor away from the outside walls and windows.
Do not travel: It is extremely dangerous to travel or move about in a severe storm if the winds and tides are whipping around your area. If you are outdoors when a storm hits, take shelter immediately.
After the Emergency:
Right after the emergency, you may be confused or disoriented. Stay calm and remember the following procedures.
Help the injured
Help anyone who is injured. Get your emergency survival kit (the first aid kit should be with it).
Listen to the radio
Listen to your local radio station on your battery-operated or car radio for instructions.
Don't use the telephone
Don't use the telephone unless it is absolutely necessary. Emergency crews will need all available lines.
Check your home
Check for damage to your home. Remember the following points:
Use a flashlight -- don't light matches or turn on the electrical switches if you suspect damage or smell gas.
- Check for fires, fire hazards or other household hazards.
- Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve, open windows and get everyone outside quickly.
- Shut off any other damaged utilities.
- Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately. Wear protective clothing. For major spills or leaks, call in professional help.
- Confine or secure your pets.
- Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly or people with disabilities.
Check your Fridge
Check the fridge for any spoiled food and don't drink the water until you are sure it is safe.
Planning BEFORE an emergency occurs can lessen its harmful effects on you and your loved ones.