Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7, 2022 Be ready for anything

Emergency preparedness starts with you.

Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is a national event supported by Public Safety Canada, which works closely with provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, including Emergency Management Ontario.

This year Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 1-7 with the theme of Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for Anything. This theme is meant to encourage Canadians to take action to become better prepared for the range of emergencies they could face.

The County of Renfrew takes the lead on Emergency Management and works closely with the Community Emergency Management Coordinators (CEMC) for the local municipalities.

An important focus this year is on the creation of 72-hour emergency survival kits, which should contain everything families require to be safe and take care of themselves for at least three days immediately following an emergency.

Emergency survival kits should include essentials, items you may need to meet your family’s unique needs and items in case you must leave your home.

Essentials

• food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days) and a manual can opener
• bottled water (four litres per person for each day)
• medication(s)
• flashlight
• radio (crank or battery-run)
• extra batteries
• first-aid kit
• candles and matches/lighter
• hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
• extra car keys and cash
• whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
• garbage bags

Extra supplies for evacuation

• clothes, shoes
• sleeping bags or blankets
• personal items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, other toiletries)
• playing cards, travel games and other activities for children

Our pets are also an important part of the family so make sure your family emergency plan includes all members of your family, even the four-legged, furry ones. A pet emergency survival kit should also be prepared and kept with your family kit. Recommended items for cats and dogs include food, water, bowls, manual can opener and spoon; up-to-date ID tag; current photo of you and your pet; copies of medical records and vaccines; medications and first aid kit; familiar bedding, small toy and brush; carrier large enough to transport and house your pet.

Kits should be packed in easy-to-carry bags or cases on wheels and stored in a place that is easily accessible for everyone in the family. Kits should be checked and refreshed twice a year to ensure there are no expired food items or batteries.

In an emergency, receiving information in a timely manner is very important to help people navigate the situation. The County of Renfrew will produce clear and concise messaging during an emergency and share it on social media platforms.

"Part of being prepared is knowing how to get credible information from a trusted source. Please take notice of the County of Renfrew's communication method and platforms. Be prepared and check your 72-hour kit this week," said Chief Michael Nolan, County of Renfrew Paramedic Service and Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the County of Renfrew.

In an emergency, the County of Renfrew will post information on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information visit www.ontario.ca/page/be-prepared-emergency.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Chief Michael Nolan, County of Renfrew Paramedic Service 613-735-7288
Tina Peplinskie, Media Relations/Social Media Coordinator, County of Renfrew 613-735-7288