Emergency Preparedness Week was proclaimed across the country from May 6 to 12.
The average household should be able to sustain themselves for 72 hours during any kind of emergency, from fire and flood to train derailment, says Phil Wilson, Humboldt’s Deputy Emergency Measures Coordinator.
Emergency services’ resources are usually taxed during an emergency so ensuring your family can survive on their own means services can be directed to people who need them.
“Unless you’re in danger, (emergency services) may not get to you very quickly,” says Wilson. That is why they preach being prepared, he says.
Humboldt is generally prepared for most emergencies, he says, with some emergencies unlikely in the area, like widespread flooding since we are not on a flood plain. Some emergencies, like tornados, and rail and highway accidents involving dangerous goods, are more likely, says Wilson.
Pat Pomedli also takes part in emergency preparedness meetings as a councilor for Ward 5 with the RM of Humboldt and municipality representative on various emergency services boards.
The list of emergencies they have prepared for is endless, he says, because there are many factors to consider when responding to an emergency.
“The particular situation, the location, the scope, and the timing, that’s all going to dictate how you respond to it.”
During an emergency, the first priority is saving lives, he says.
Being prepared means having a kit ready and mobile with food, clothing, and water. During an emergency, a family may be safe in their homes but they also may need to move away from the disaster. They should have every opportunity to be ready and sustainable in either case.
For times when people are still in their homes, find a spot in the house that is structurally enforced to set up shop, says Wilson, including doorways.
The most important advice that Wilson can give, always listen to emergency crews, he says.
“If you’re told to evacuate, you should evacuate.”
Regional partners can be a big part of disaster response, says Pomedli, since farmers with large equipment can make a difference during different types of disasters.
“Water trucks are a big thing for fighting fires and there’s always some guys who will always have a tank of water on their truck, just incase. Sometimes they’ll keep it right out in the field with them.”
Pomedli says they have a list of different resources that would be available to them during an emergency.
At recent Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA) meetings, connecting these resources like these throughout the region has been a recent topic of discussion. There is a chance to connect emergency response people throughout the district as a way of services supporting one another, says Celine Favreau, director of Operations & Planning with the MSMA.
Connecting those services means connecting emergency response teams from across the region, she says.
“We have a couple of smaller ones that don’t that are looking for support. We could share the resources.”
Emergency Kit How-to
Your emergency kit should be able to help your family members (including those with special health concerns and pets) be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. You can purchase pre-made kits or assemble your own that you will pack in an easy-to-carry bag(s) or a case-on-wheels.
Items* you may wish to include in your kit:
• Food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for 3 days)
• Bottled water (4 litres per person each day for drinking, hygiene, washing)
• A manual can opener
• Plastic plates and cutlery
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Garbage bags and zip-lock bags
• First-aid kits
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Personal items (soap, toothpaste/toothbrush, shampoo, comb, etc.)
• Flashlight
• Radio (crank or battery-run)
• Extra batteries
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Spare clothes, shoes
• Playing cards, travel games, other activities for children
• Extra car keys
• Cash
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Photographs of each family member and pets (write their age, weight, height and other characteristics on the back)
• Items for babies and small children like diapers, formula, bottles and baby food
• Copies of important papers, such as insurance, driver’s licence, passports, birth/marriage certificates, wills, etc.
• Printed procedures to shut off home utilities (water, electricity, gas)
Your kit should be tailored to your family’s needs. For example, you may need to develop specific plans and store emergency food and supplies for family members with specific medical conditions. The local evacuation or reception centre may not allow your pet(s) to stay with you, so you may need to develop specialized plans and have emergency food and supplies stored for each of your animals.
Source: Saskatchewan.ca
