Emergency Management in Elgin County

Emergency Management

We are committed to making Elgin County as safe as possible, which includes being prepared to manage major emergencies in our area.

Emergency Preparedness

Individual preparedness efforts are essential for mitigating the impacts of disasters. By taking proactive steps individuals can significantly reduce certain risks during emergencies. The severity of a disaster can lead to delays in emergency response and resources, highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency. Prepared individuals can navigate through challenges more effectively, ensuring their safety and the well-being of their loved ones until help arrives. Here’s how you can ensure you’re ready to handle emergencies effectively:

Create an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit that includes essential items such as non-perishable food, water (at least two litres per person per day), medications, a first aid kit, flashlight, blankets, and personal hygiene items. Customize the kit based on your family’s needs, including supplies for infants, seniors, or pets. Your kit should also house important documents, like insurance policies, IDs, medical records, and emergency contacts stored in a waterproof container. Keep digital copies for quick access.
Stay Informed and Connected: Staying informed during emergencies is vital. Local radio, social media, and TV news are essential sources of information during emergencies. Radios and social media platforms provide real-time updates and help everyone connect with the local Municipality. TV offers detailed coverage to keep everyone informed and safe. Consider alternative power solutions if your information sources rely on batteries. Some radios use crank charging, and power packs can charge electronics. These precautions help keep you informed and connected.
Develop a Family Communication Plan: Establish a plan for how your family will communicate during emergencies. Designate an out-of-area contact person whom everyone can reach to check in and share information. Ensure everyone knows how to contact emergency services if needed.
Know Your Risks: Understand the types of emergencies that are most likely to occur in your area, such as severe weather, flooding or power outages. Tailor your preparedness plans to address these specific risks.
Stay Calm and Flexible: In times of crisis, remaining calm and adaptable is key. Follow official instructions, avoid spreading rumors or misinformation, and be prepared to adjust your plans based on evolving circumstances.
By taking these proactive steps, you can enhance your readiness to handle emergencies effectively and ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones, even in challenging situations like those that may arise in Elgin County.

It will take you about 20 minutes to make a family emergency plan online. You can then print it out. Before starting, you will need to think about:

Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
Health and insurance information
Places for your pet to stay
Risks in your region
Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain

Basic emergency kit

Water – at least two litres of water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace food and water once a year)
Manual can-opener
Crank or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries). Replace batteries once a year.
Crank, battery-powered radio (and extra batteries) or Weatheradio
First aid kit
Extra keys to your car and house
Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills and change for payphones
A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
If applicable, other items such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal (personalize according to your needs)

Recommended additional items

Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
Candles and matches or lighter (place candles in deep, 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
Utensils
Garbage bags
Toilet paper
Water purifying tablets
Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife)
A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
Duct tape (to tape up windows, doors, air vents, etc.)

If you think your water is contaminated, check with your municipality or local authorities for details. When in doubt, do not drink water you suspect may be contaminated.

Keep some cash on hand, as automated bank machines and their networks may not work during an emergency. You may have difficulty using debit or credit cards.

Public Safety Canada Emergency Preparedness Guide (PDF)

Public Safety Canada Emergency Preparedness Guide for Persons with Disabilities/Special Needs (PDF)

Extreme Weather

Severe weather refers to any dangerous meteorological phenomena with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life.

How will you know when severe weather is coming?

Environment Canada issues a warning when severe weather is about to or is occurring.
A watch is issued when conditions are favourable for the development of severe weather.
A special weather statement is issued for unusual weather events that may be an inconvenience or may be a potentially hazardous situation in the long term forecast.
Alert Ready: Canada’s New Emergency Alert System

Heavy snowfall and ice can make the roads treacherous and interrupt the power supply.

Safety tips

Avoid unnecessary travel.
Wear layers of lightweight clothing, mittens and a hat (preferably one that covers your ears).
Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to keep from slipping on ice and snow.
Regularly check for frostbite — numbness or white areas on your face and body (ears, nose, cheeks, hands and feet in particular).
Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow by taking frequent breaks.
Bring pets inside and move livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Winter Driving

Stay safe on the road this winter by:

Getting a maintenance checkup to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready
Keeping your fuel tank at least half full to help reduce moisture in the fuel system and add weight to the vehicle
Making sure you have an ice-scraper and washer fluid that works down to -40oC
Putting Winter Tires on your vehicle
Checking conditions before you leave
Putting together a winter survival kit to keep it in your vehicle and include:
charged phone
water and non-perishable food
flashlight
blanket and warm clothes
jumper cables
shovel
traction mats or sand
candles and a lighter or matches

For more winter driving tips visit: Winter driving (external site)

Extreme Cold Warnings

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) issues cold weather alerts when Environment Canada forecasts an air temperature below -15˚C or a wind chill below -20˚C. Weather alerts are posted to the SWPH website and social media channels.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, especially people who work outdoors, the elderly, some people with disabilities, and children, particularly infants.

Safety Tips

If you feel dizzy, weak or overheated:

go to a cool place
sit or lie down
drink water
wash your face with cool water

If you don’t feel better soon, seek medical help immediately.

If you are indoors:

stay indoors to limit sun exposure
take frequent cool showers or baths
stay on lower floors if there’s no air conditioning
drink water and eat light, regular meals — avoid using salt

If you are outdoors:

spend the hottest part of the day in air conditioned public buildings (e.g., mall, library, cooling station)
drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if you aren’t thirsty
dress in light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing covering as much of your skin as possible
wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face
wear full UVA and UVB protection sunglasses
apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before going outside
apply lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher

Source: Extreme heat (external site)

Extreme Heat Warnings

Southwestern Public Health issues extreme heat warnings when prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions are dangerous to public health. Learn more here – Extreme heat (external site)

Thunderstorms can bring lightning, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and tornadoes.

Safety tips

be aware of weather conditions and warnings
seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued or you believe one could occur

If you are indoors:

Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors — strong winds and large hailstones can shatter them.
Avoid running water in your house — lightning can enter through pipes and plumbing.
Don’t take showers or baths during a thunderstorm.
Remain indoors during a thunderstorm and stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
Be prepared to seek shelter in a basement or interior room on the lowest level if conditions worsen.

If you are outdoors:

If you hear thunder, then lightning is close enough to be dangerous — take shelter in an enclosed building or metal-topped vehicle.
Avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, power lines and picnic shelters — small, open structures don’t protect you from lightning.
If there’s no shelter, go to a low-lying area away from tall, isolated objects — crouch down and put your feet together — do not lie down.

Thunderstorms may result in power outages. Learn more about how to stay safe during a power outage.

Source: Thunderstorms (external site)

A tornado is a powerful rotating column of wind that can hurt people and damage property. Very large thunderstorms can create many tornadoes. Tornadoes can appear after a heavy rain or hail in a sky that is green, yellow or black. Ontario averages about 12 tornadoes a year, usually between May and September.

Safety tips

be aware of weather conditions and warnings
seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued or you believe one could occur

If you’re indoors:

The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
If you don’t have a basement, go to the centre of an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls – put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Get under a sturdy piece of furniture — use your arms to protect your head and neck.
Don’t open windows.

If you’re outdoors:

don’t wait until you see the tornado to get inside
if you can’t get inside, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands
don’t go under an overpass or bridge – you’re safer in a low, flat area

If you’re in a mobile home:

Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately. Mobile homes do not offer much protection from tornadoes.

Source: Tornadoes (external site)

Floods are the costliest natural hazard in terms of property damage in Ontario. Floods are typically caused by melting snow, ice jams, high lake levels, and heavy rains and thunderstorms. They can happen at any time of year and in urban and rural areas. Flash flooding can occur in rain storms or when a storm drain is plugged – often with little or no warning.

Safety tips

If you are instructed by emergency officials to evacuate, do so immediately.

If you are indoors:

ensure necessary personal items (medications, and important documents) are secured and easily accessible in case of evacuation
disconnect electrical appliances — don’t touch electrical equipment if wet or standing in water
don’t eat food that’s come in contact with flood waters
ensure your cellphone is charged (safely) – it may be your only means of communication during an evacuation

If you are outdoors:

if your property is impacted by flooding:
- and your electricity is on, leave the area immediately
- follow your emergency plan and move to a safe place on higher ground
- avoid travelling on roads that are near water, bridges, ravines, embankments, low laying areas and any bodies of water
don’t drive through, stand or walk in any moving water – you may fall
if you must walk, look for where the water is not moving and use a stick to check the ground in front of you
account for all of your family members, keeping children and pets away from floodwaters