Skip to content

Are you emergency ready? If not, check out these tips

May 5-11 marks Emergency Preparedness Week
EmergencyPreparednessKit
Stock image

NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
*************************
MIDHURST – The County of Simcoe recognizes Emergency Preparedness Week May 5 to 11, 2019 and is encouraging all residents to take this opportunity to prepare themselves and their families to be safe in the event of an emergency.

“As demonstrated by the unfortunate flooding throughout Ontario this spring, emergencies do occur in Simcoe County and it’s important for families and individuals to plan ahead and be prepared,” said Warden George Cornell. “Our Emergency Management Department provides a wide-variety of programs, services and educational supports to help our residents, communities and partners be better prepared. Plan ahead and stay safe everyone.”

This year’s provincial theme for Ontario is “Are You Ready?” During this campaign, families and individuals across Simcoe County are encouraged to discuss their individual roles in the event of an emergency and to prepare accordingly. Having the necessary knowledge, skills and equipment helps families to endure an emergency situation.

Know the risks:

  • Understanding the types of potential hazards can help residents to be better prepared

Make a plan:

  • Every household needs an emergency plan. It will take as little as 20 minutes to prepare emergency plans so that families will know how to communicate, what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency

Prepare a kit:

  • Residents should prepare an emergency kit that will allow them to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours: They may need to live without power, tap water or natural gas until services are restored. Emergency preparedness kits should include: Non-perishable food and bottled water, a crank radio, a flashlight and batteries, a first aid kit, extra keys, copies of important documents, cash, clothing and footwear, blankets or sleeping bags, toilet paper and toiletries, medication, a whistle, and playing cards

Know what to do:

  • The County encourages residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families for specific emergencies. Taking a first aid and CPR course is one way to learn what to do in case of an emergency

For more information about emergency preparedness in Simcoe County, visit simcoe.ca/beprepared.

The County of Simcoe is composed of 16 member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

*************************