Emergency Plan and Preparedness

Infectious disease outbreaks

If there is a respiratory (airborne) infectious disease outbreak, the most important thing to do is visit your local public health website and follow recommendations to prevent and contain the spread of the disease.

Respiratory infections are spread by small droplets in the air that can stay on surfaces. To prevent the spread:

• Cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze (with a tissue or into your elbow)
• Wash your hands often and sanitize
• Limit contact with others
• When contact is necessary, maintain appropriate distance provided by Halton Region Public Health
• Clean surfaces and contact points including doorknobs, counters and other high traffic areas

Floods

Flash floods happen when intense thunderstorms drop a large amount of water in a short time. They can happen with little or no warning.

If you are at home:

• Get your disaster safety kit and go immediately to the designated shelter when told to evacuate. Be sure to follow the recommended evacuation routes. Never take shortcuts as these roads may be flooded
• Make sure all basement windows are closed
• Move all your furniture, electrical appliances and other belongings to higher levels
• Remove any toilet bowl water and plug basement sewer drains and toilet connection
• Turn power off to circuit breaker or fuse box. If the area is wet, stand on a dry board and shut off power with a dry wooden stick
• Turn off your basement furnace and outside gas valve
• Turn on a battery-operated radio or television and listen for the latest emergency information

If you are outdoors:

• Always make sure you are on firm ground whether you are walking or driving
• Climb to high ground in a very visible and safe area
• Never cross floodwaters. Even water as shallow as 15 cm could sweep you off your feet
• Quickly move towards high ground but stay away from flood areas

If you are in a vehicle:

• Avoid remaining in your car. As little as 60 cm of water can carry a car away
• If you become caught in fast-rising floodwaters and your vehicle stalls, leave it and move yourself and your passengers to higher ground
• If you come across a flooded road, take a different route as the fast-moving water could sweep you away
• Travel carefully and only if absolutely needed through flooded areas

Power outage

In case of a power outage:

• Do not use barbecues or camping heating equipment or home generators indoors
• During winter power outages, drain your pipes and shut off the main water supply so your pipes don't freeze
• Eat fresh food first, then frozen food and canned or dried food last
• Never leave lit candles unattended
• Turn everything off to prevent injury and damage to electronic equipment
• Use a flashlight

Severe winter storm

Bitter cold and severe winter storms kill more than 100 people in Canada every year. That is more than the number of Canadians killed by tornadoes, thunderstorms, lightning, floods, hurricanes and heat waves combined.

If you are indoors:

• Stay indoors and only travel when absolutely necessary
• Close off most rooms except for those you are in, as it's easier to keep a smaller space warm
• Listen for radio and television broadcasts of storm warnings to stay informed

If you are outdoors:

• Prepare yourself against the cold and find shelter as soon as possible
• Tell someone where you are going, how you are getting there and when you think you will arrive

If you are in a vehicle:

• Find shelter as soon as possible if there is a blizzard warning
• Always tell someone where you are going, how you are getting there, and when you think you will arrive.

If you are trapped in a vehicle or if your vehicle has stalled:

• Keep the exhaust pipe clear so that fumes can escape
• Keep the window open a crack for fresh air if you are trapped in your vehicle
• Provide a signal to rescuers such as a bright cloth tied onto the vehicle
• Start the car engine once every hour and use the heater for ten minutes
• Stay warm by moving your arms and legs, keeping the blood flowing
• When the engine is running, leave the dome light on

Shelter-in-place orders

During a fire or hazardous spill event, you may be advised to stay in your home or vehicle. If you have been advised to shelter-in-place, you should:

• Close your doors and windows
• Cover your mouth and nose with a wet handkerchief or towel if you smell or see fumes or smoke
• Monitor your radio or television for additional information or instructions
• Place wet towels under doors to keep smoke and fumes out
• Shut off air conditioners, fans or anything that brings air into your home from the outside

Evacuation orders

During some emergencies, you may need to evacuate the surrounding area. In case of an emergency evacuation, you should:

• Call 3-1-1 for information rather than 9-1-1 to keep phone lines open for emergency workers
• Listen to local radio, television or social media for emergency instructions and updates
• Prepare your emergency kit to take with you
• Travel only on recommended routes