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IN YOUR DAY TO DAY LIVING, DISASTERS MAY
SEEM A DISTANT POSSIBILITY. YET NATURAL DISASTERS, SUCH AS FLOODS OR TORNADOES;
TECHNOLOGICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL ACCIDENTS SUCH AS A CHEMICAL SPILL; OR SERVICE
DISRUPTIONS, SUCH AS POWER FAILURES DURING THE WINTER CAN STRIKE ANY COMMUNITY,
INCLUDING YOURS, AT ANY TIME.
Your Community Emergency Management
Coordinator, Jack Carmichael and his alternate CEMC, Jim McLean, in cooperation
with the Office of The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional
Services,
have made available, brochures with valuable information to help prepare
yourself for any disaster or situation. These brochures may be picked up at the
Billings Township Office during regular business hours.
Emergency Management - Ontario Emergency Management Program Standards
Aim of Emergency Management Ontario (EMO):
EMO has developed standards to address public safety risks in
Ontario by developing community emergency management programs based on
international best practices. The four core components of an emergency
management are: mitigation/prevention, preparedness,
response and recovery.’
Scope of the Standards:
According to Emergency Management Ontario:
‘Emergency management programs are divided into three
levels: essential enhanced and comprehensive. Each community must have, as a
minimum, an emergency management program at the essential level. A community
should then seek to progressively develop its program until the comprehensive
level is reached. A comprehensive emergency management program is the best way
to protect public safety and create disaster-resilient communities. A
comprehensive community emergency management program also contributes to the
protection of public health, the environment, property and economic
stability.’
Legislation and Requirements
The emergency management program is governed by the following pieces of
legislation;
Emergency Management Act – 2002
Township of Billings By-Law #2004-09
The Ontario Emergency Management Act – 2002 defines the roles and
responsibilities of emergency management throughout the province.
The relevant sections of the Emergency Management Act – 2002 as it pertains to
the Corporation of the Township of Billings is as follows:
Municipal emergency management programs
Every municipality shall develop and implement an emergency management program
and the council of the municipality shall by way of a by-law adopt the emergency
management program.
The emergency management program shall consist of;
an emergency plan as required by section 3;
training programs and exercise for employees of the municipality and
other persons with respect to provision of necessary services and the
procedures to be followed in emergency response and recovery activities.
public education on risks to public safety and on public preparedness for
emergencies; and
Hazard and risk assessment and infrastructure identification
In developing its emergency management program, every municipality shall
identify and assess the various hazards and risks to public safety and that
could give rise to emergencies and identify the facilities and other elements of
the infrastructure that are at risk of being affected by emergencies.
Municipal emergency plan
Every municipality shall formulate an emergency plan governing the provision of
necessary services during an emergency and the procedures under and the manner
in which employees of the municipality and other persons will respond to the
emergency and the council of the municipality shall by way of a by-law adopt the
emergency plan.
Training and exercise
Every municipality shall conduct training programs and exercises to ensure the
readiness of employees of the municipality and others to act under the emergency
plan.
Review of plan
Every municipality shall review and, if necessary revise its emergency plan
every year.
Emergency plan submitted to Chief
Every municipality, minister of the Crown and designated agency, board,
commission and other branch shall submit a copy of their emergency plans and of
any revisions to their emergency plans to the Chief, Emergency Management
Ontario, and shall ensure that the Chief, Emergency Management Ontario has, at
any time the most current version of their emergency plans.
Preparing You and Your Family
Local municipalities are usually the first level of government to respond to a
community emergency. However, many emergencies happen suddenly and without
warning. It takes time to activate response efforts. During this time, there are
things that you can do to protect yourself and your family should an emergency
occur. In order to properly protect you and your family, you have to be
prepared. If you are not injured or sick, you should be prepared to survive on
your own for at least 72 hours without help. A 3-day survival kit is a good
thing to put together and to have ready in case of a community emergency.
There are many sources of individual emergency preparedness information
available to help you get started. Many of these brochures will be
available at your local municipal office.
Be prepared, Not Scared
Expect the Unexpected
Floods
Sever Storms
Winter Power Failures
Winter Driving
Here is a list of items to include in an EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT. This kit is
designed to sustain one person for three days.
Four litres of water / day (bottled water)
Food such as canned goods, crackers, honey, peanut butter, sugar, coffee,
tea, food bars (to be replaced once/year)
Flashlight and batteries or crank flashlight
Portable radio and batteries or crank radio
Spare batteries for both
First Aid Kit
Candles/Matches/Lighter
Extra Car Keys
Always have cash on hand (including coins for pay phones)
Important Personal Papers (ID, personal documents such as passports,
birth certificates, social insurance numbers, marriage certificates, etc.)
Clothing and Footwear (One extra set)
Toiletries (such as Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Pre-moistened
towlettes, Tissues, etc.)
Blankets (Mylar type) or sleeping bags
Any necessary medications
Whistle (to attract attention)
Playing cards, games
Something to carry survival kit items in case you have to evacuate
Sources: OCIPEP, EMO
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