Emergency Preparedness

Here in Durham, we are no stranger to ice storms and blackouts. You should make sure that your home is equipped with the supplies you’ll need if the power is out and you’re stuck at home for a few days.

Your prepared home should have:

• A well stocked first aid kit
• A battery-powered or crank radio or a battery bank to charge your cell phone so you can stay informed even when the power is out
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Food that you can prepare without electricity
• Cash
• Special items that may be required for infants, seniors in the household or assistive mobility devices
• A generator if you can afford one
• Battery powered smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Carbon Monoxide causes accidental poisonings and deaths in Ontario every year. Stay safe during power outages. Do not bring generators or barbeques inside your home or garage. Ensure that your home has working carbon monoxide detectors with batteries to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when the power is off.

Pack your "go bag"

Your Go Bag is the only emergency kit you need and should be kept in the trunk, so you have it when you need it. Many retailers sell preassembled kits, but be sure to double check this list to make sure you have everything you’ll need:

• Basic tools such as screwdriver and plyers
• Battery bank a phone charger
• Blankets
• Booster cables
• Bottled water
• Spare car battery
• Spare tire
• De-icer fluid for windshield and fuel line
• Extra clothing to suit the season. e.g. shoes, hats, mitts, rain poncho
• Fire extinguisher
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight and batteries
• Ice scraper and snowbrush
• Non-perishable food/snacks
• Road maps
• Salt or de-icer
• Small shovel
• Tire repair kit
• Waterproof matches and candle
• Whistle

If you don’t have a car, make sure you have basic emergency supplies with you such as a battery bank, phone charger and cash.

Pet preparedness

Car kits

An emergency car kit should be kept in your car in the event that you become stranded. It's also a good idea to make sure your gas tank is full in case of evacuation or power outages. Your emergency car kit should include:

Water and snack foods

Seatbelt cutter

Hats, coats, mittens, and blankets

Extra shoes

First aid kit, including medications and a pocket knife

Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush

Candle in a deep can and waterproof matches - can be used for heat and to melt snow for water

Wind-up flashlight

Whistle (in case you need to attract attention)

Roadmaps or downloaded Google/Apple maps

Copy of your emergency plan and personal documents

Also keep these inside your trunk:

Sand or cat litter to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice

Portable charger, extra batteries

Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid

Tow rope

Jumper cables

Fire extinguisher

Warning light, road flares, or reflectors

These items are a great starting point. Don't forget to update, replenish and replace any items that may need it.

If you are asked to stay inside or evacuate, you should have an emergency plan. Take some time to write down what you are going to do in an emergency.

Include children, seniors, and pets in your plan. For anyone with disabilities or special needs, the federal and provincial governments also offer guides for your emergency planning.

Think about things like:

• Hearing
• High-rise safety
• Mobility
• Non-visible disabilities
• Service animals
• Travel considerations
• Vision

Make sure everyone knows where to find your emergency plan and emergency kits. Remember to practice your plan often.

Make a plan

Read the Durham Region Emergency Master Plan, the Durham Nuclear Emergency Response Plan and Durham's Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.

During an emergency, you may be asked to evacuate.

It is always a good idea to have an emergency plan. You should also have emergency kits ready in case of an emergency. Your emergency plan should include a safe place to go. If you aren't able to get to that safe place, you may have to go to an evacuation centre.

In collaboration with a range of community partners, evacuation centres are set up in a safe place provided by the municipality. At an evacuation centre, you will have access to emergency social services such as:

• Assistance to contact family members
• Clothing
• Drinking water
• Emergency information
• First-aid
• Food
• Shelter

You can take your pet to an evacuation centre with you. Make sure you make plans for them too when you are getting your plan and your kits ready.

Radio, television, reliable websites, and official social media channels are the best places to get information during an emergency. Use a battery-powered or crank radio if the power is out and cell networks are down.

Follow official Twitter accounts now to stay informed during an emergency:

• @RegionofDurham
• @DRPS
• @OntarioWarnings
• @ECAlertON119
• @OPP_News

Connect through your existing networks

Call your family and friends during an emergency. Make sure to update your phone list often and organize your emergency phone contacts in the Stay in Touch Checklist.

Your neighbourhood networks are important, too. Think about the connections you already have: your sports teams, spiritual groups, and friends in the neighbourhood. These may be a key source of support.

Update your social media status

Facebook allows you to mark yourself safe in an emergency. Update your status on your other social media accounts to let friends and family know you're okay.

Remember, if you need help right away because of an injury or immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Emergency alerts

There are emergency alert systems in place to notify you of a large-scale emergency.

Region of Durham email alerts

Receive emergency alerts that are posted to the Region of Durham website.

Subscribe with your email address

Alert Ready wireless and broadcast alerts

Canada’s Alert Ready system sends emergency alerts to compatible cell phones and wireless devices, as well as through TV and radio broadcasts. You do not need to sign up for these alerts.

You can check if your cell phone is compatible by visiting AlertReady.ca.

Alert Ready emergency alerts are geo-targeted and activated only for the most serious, large-scale emergencies.

Nuclear public alerting system

Durham Region has a nuclear public alerting system made up of sirens and an auto dialer for landline phones. You will get these alerts if you are near the Darlington or Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations.

• Ajax
• Brock
• Clarington
• Oshawa
• Pickering
• Scugog
• Uxbridge
• Whitby

• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
• CNSC Video
• Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
• Toronto Office of Emergency Management

• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)
• Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Preparedness (OFMEM)
• Public Safety Canada
• Red Cross
• Salvation Army

• Environment Canada
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA)
• Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA)
• Kawartha Region Conservation Authority (KRCA)
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

  • The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has a number of resources to help ensure residents receive accurate updates during river flood-related events and make informed decisions.

    • Visit TRCA's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre webpage where active flood messages are posted.
    • Sign up to receive flood messages through TRCA’s flood messaging system.
    • Use TRCA’s floodplain map viewer to determine if you live in a flood plain.