Emergency Planning

Emergencies are often unpredictable, and we all have a role to play in being ready for them.

In the event of an emergency, you must be able to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours until outside help, such as a warming centre, food and drinking water, arrives.

Here is some information to help you prepare.

In New Brunswick, we face a variety of hazards including severe storms, blizzards, ice storms, floods and forest fires. It is important to be aware of the risks so that you can anticipate their impacts and be better prepared.

 

To learn about the events most likely to happen in our community, go to https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/rgnl/nb-en.aspx

Remember that your family will likely not be together when an emergency strikes.

 

Identify emergency exits for each floor of your home, as well as meeting places and evacuation routes. Plan an exit that does not require you to use the elevator if you live in an apartment.

 

Also, do not forget to have a plan for your pets and to consider the medical needs of the members of your household.

 

Here are some examples of information to include in your plan:

  • safe exits in your home and neighborhood
  • gathering places for family members, roommates or yourself
  • designated persons to pick up your children if you are unable to do so yourself
  • contact persons close by and out of town
  • health and insurance information
  • a place for your pet
  • the risks in your area
  • the location of your fire extinguisher, water supply valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain

It is recommended that you have a kit on hand that will allow you to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

 

Your kit should at the least contain the following items:

  • Two litres of water per person per day (take small bottles that can be easily carried)
  • Non-perishable foods, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods
  • A can opener
  • Flashlights
  • Battery-operated or hand-crank radio
  • Spare batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Special needs items such as prescription drugs, infant formula and equipment for persons with disabilities
  • Extra keys for home and car
  • Cash (especially small bills and change)
  • Family emergency plan

 

Make sure your emergency kit is easy to carry (in a duffel bag, backpack or suitcase on wheels, for example) and that everyone in the house knows where it is.

Winter power outages are particularly problematic because most home heating systems depend on electricity to operate. Outages can last from a few hours to several days and often are caused by freezing rainstorms, ice storms and high winds.

 

Here are some basic safety tips:

  • During a power outage, turn off all your appliances and turn down the thermostats to their lowest setting to avoid overloading.
  • Only open the fridge and freezer door when necessary.
  • Never use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heaters or generators inside your home, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Never leave lit candles or lanterns unattended or in an unstable place.
  • Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms regularly.
  • A freezer that stays closed can keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours without electricity. Any perishable food in a fridge that has been left without power for more than 24 hours should be discarded.
  • Never approach downed power lines or fallen trees touching power lines.
  • Keep an eye on your neighbors in case they need help.

The City provides residents with drinking water that surpasses Health Canada’s Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.

 

As with any drinking water system, incidents such as low pressure or water main breaks can occur. If they do, the medical officer of health from the regional public health office may issue a boil water advisory.

 

When a small-scale advisory is issued, a placard will be placed on the front door of each impacted property. When the advisory affects many residences, an email will be sent to the mailing list and the advisory will be posted on the municipality’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Municipal Emergency Response Plan (MERP) is designed to provide the tri-community (Cities of Dieppe and Moncton, Town of Riverview) with a management tool to facilitate a timely, effective, efficient, and coordinated emergency response.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

 

Road conditions: 1.800.561.4063

 

Environmental emergencies: 1.800.565.1633

 

Tele-Care: 8-1-1

 

Provincial Emergency Measures Organization: 1.888.298.8555

 

Red Cross: 1.800.222.9597

 

NB Power: 1.800.663.6272

The City communicates important information to its residents in several ways. To stay informed at all times, even during an emergency:

New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety

New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization

Office of the Fire Marshal

Get Prepared