Emergency Preparedness
Are you Prepared?
In an emergency situation, you may be isolated for up to 72 hours. Is your home ready for an emergency? Here are some steps you can take to prepare yourself and your family in case of an emergency.
Staying Informed
One of the most important things you’ll need during an emergency is information. Know where to go to find the information you need. In Canmore, there are several great options for getting more information.
If electricity and internet connections are available, the Town’s website (www.canmore.ca), Facebook page (Town of Canmore) and Twitter Feed (@townofcanmore) are your best sources of up to date and accurate information. We work very closely with local media during emergency events so their social media and websites are great information options as well.
When electricity and internet are compromised, local radio becomes a critical source for information. As we saw during the 2013 floods, local station Mountain FM at 106.5 is an invaluable community resource. Make sure you can listen to Mountain FM during an emergency by having a radio and batteries on hand.
You can also receive immediate notification directly by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert App in addition to following their Facebook page, Twitter and RSS feeds. For more information on Alberta Emergency Alert go to www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca
Where to find more info
Know the Risks
Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our area can help us better prepare. In addition to natural disasters, there are other types of risks. There are power outages and major transportation incidents. As well, there is the possibility of intentional acts including terrorism on Canadian soil. We need to prepare for all hazards. Risks in the Canmore area include:
- Flood – river and mountain creek
- Wild Fire
- Proximity to dangerous goods route
- Infectious disease outbreak
- Severe Weather
- Blackout
More Information
Alberta Wildfire Info
Health Canada
Transport Canada
Be Prepared for up to 72 Hours
Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. All Canadians are encouraged to be prepared to cope for at least 72 hours of an emergency, while emergency workers focus on those in urgent need.
By taking a few simple steps today, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies. These basic steps should help you to take care of yourself and your loved ones during an emergency. Emergency preparedness involves three steps:
- Know the Risks
- Make a Plan
- Prepare an emergency kit
Preparing an emergency kit
In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
You may have some of these items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water, and blankets. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?
Make sure your kit is easy to carry. Keep it in a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach accessible place. Make sure everyone in the house knows where the emergency kit is. Some basic elements of an emergency kit include:
- Water – at least two litres of water per person per day.
- Food – things that won’t spoil such as canned food, energy bars, and dried fruit
- Manual can opener and small fuel driven stove (with fuel)
- Blanket.
- Wind up or battery powered flashlight and radio (plus extra batteries)
- First aid kit and special items such as prescription medications, infant formula, and equipment for people with disabilities
- Extra keys for your car and house
- Some cash in small bills
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
More information
Government of Canada: Get Prepared
Shelter In Place
An accident may cause a hazardous material to enter the air. Unless the hazardous material is flammable, emergency response professionals recommend that you stay indoors until you receive instructions to leave. Once you are inside, there are several things you can do to help your building protect you:
- Go indoors and stay there.
- Close all outside doors and every door inside the building.
- Close all windows.
- Do not use kitchen vents or bathrooms vents.
- Set thermostats so air conditioners, furnaces and hot water heaters will not come on.
- Do not use fireplaces. Close all dampers.
- Do not operate the clothes dryer.
- Stay in an inside room away from windows and doors if possible.
- Reduce or avoid smoking as it contaminates the air.
- Do not leave the building until told to.
- Stay tuned to local television or radio for information.
- Do not use the telephone, leave the phone lines open for emergency personnel.
Our well weather-stripped buildings slow the movement of air into the buildings and any hazardous material that does enter is weakened when it mixes with the indoor air. It is imperative that you stay indoors, especially if you see a cloud, vapour, or smoke from the hazardous material outdoors or you can smell it indoors. You will be safer inside.
Evacuation Procedures
We will not ask you to leave your house unless there is reason to believe you are in danger. If you are ordered to evacuate, please do so. Take your emergency kit, essential medications, copies of prescriptions, personal identification of each family member, and a cellular phone with you. Take pets with you, lock your home, and use travel routes specified.
If an evacuation order is given, a reception centre will be set up. Even if you have a safe place to stay, please go to the reception centre and register with the staff there so that they know that you are safe and where to find you if needed.
Following orders
When an emergency exists, sometimes residents are asked to take action to ensure that everyone, including residents and emergency personnel, is kept safe. If orders are issued, please follow them. They are issued for the safety of everyone involved. The two most common orders issued would be evacuation and shelter in place.
