Emergency Preparedness

What is Emergency Management?

Most emergency incidents can be handled by first responders (police, fire, paramedics) but when an incident exceeds the capacity of responding agencies, emergency managers are required to help coordinate a multi-agency response. Emergency Management takes action to prepare the Region of Waterloo and its residents to build resiliency and be better able to respond to emergencies.

In order to initiate preventative, mitigative and preparedness activities, the Province of Ontario requires all municipalities and regions to complete a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) that ranks the top ten hazards addressing the following:

What hazards exist in the region?
How frequently do they occur?
How severe can their impact be on the community, infrastructure, property, and the environment?
Which hazards pose the greatest threat to the community?

You can find preparedness tips for emergencies that can affect the region at www.alertwr.ca

Legislation and regulation

The Region of Waterloo’s emergency management program is guided by three pieces of legislation:

The Region's Emergency Management Office (EMO) is responsible for developing, putting in place and maintaining the Regional Emergency Response Plan (ERP). This plan describes how the Region responds to emergencies. The plan describes the roles and responsibilities of the Region and our partners, including fire departments, police, and community agencies.

The Region of Waterloo and Emergency Social Services

The EMO is also responsible for the Emergency Social Services (ESS) Program. ESS helps people displaced by an emergency by providing food, clothing, lodging and other support. The Region works with the cities, townships and many agencies and organizations to provide these services when needed.

Before an Emergency

You are responsible for your own personal preparedness. Make sure you and your household have what you need to withstand emergencies. Our emergency responders give their all to keep our community safe, but they can’t do it alone. You can take some simple steps to be emergency read.

1. Emergency Kits:

If you can’t leave your home and have to shelter in place you will need supplies. The same goes for when you are evacuated and utilities and local businesses are unavailable. Experts recommend you have at least 72 hours (3 days) worth of supplies to keep you and your household safe and healthy.

Basic Emergency Kit List

Emergency Car Kit List

2. Create an Emergency Plan:

A household emergency plan helps you to act quickly, stay connected and reduce stress when it matters most.

Before starting, you will need to think about:

Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
Health and insurance information
Places for your pet to stay
Risks in your region
Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain

It will take you about 20 minutes to make a family emergency plan online. You can then print it out Make an Emergency Plan

Staying Informed:

Alert Waterloo Region

Alert Waterloo Region is a joint initiative of the Region of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, City of Kitchener, Township of North Dumfries, City of Waterloo, Township of Wellesley, Township of Wilmot, Township of Woolwich, and the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

This partnership offers Waterloo Region the opportunity to receive notifications in emergencies.

Have links to external partners such as hydro ect.

If you have to Shelter in Place

Sheltering in place is the practice of going indoors or remaining indoors because of a dangerous situation outdoors (an airborne chemical release or other safety issue). If public safety officials ask you to shelter in place, it is recommended that you stay indoors until you receive updates and instructions that it is safe to open windows or doors or leave.

When sheltering in place you should:

Go or remain indoors.
Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
Where possible, shelter in rooms away from windows and outside doors. Upper floors without windows are preferred because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements.
Avoid drawing air in from outside. Turn off heating and air conditioning, close the fireplace damper.
Do not use bathroom or kitchen fans/vents.
Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around doors and vents in the room.
Monitor news radio, television, websites for information and updates.
Avoid using the telephone unless it is an emergency.

If you have to evacuate

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger.

If you are asked to evacuate, take:

Your emergency plan and kit.
A cell phone, charger and/or emergency radio.
Medications you or your household members take.
Your pets.

Before you leave your home:

Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.
If you are not asked to turn off natural gas then leave it on so you don’t have to wait for the utilities company to come and reconnect it afterwards.
Lock your home.
Tell a family member or close friend where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

Make contact

Let your family and friends know you are safe.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to notify them of damages to your property and what your needs are.
Update your employer on your situation.
Update your children’s school on your status.
Clear your schedule of appointments and other obligations to focus on the recovery needs of you and your household

Look after your immediate needs

Make sure you are taking care of your needs for food, water, and rest so you can minimize stress and maintain the energy you need to recover after an emergency.
Stay calm and know that you can recover but it will take time. The first steps you take after an emergency (calling insurance, reconnecting with family and friends) are important to getting a head start on taking care of your needs.
Reach out to family and friends if you are feeling lost, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Reach out to community groups that specialize in supporting mental health and wellness.

Help others

Check on your neighbours.
Check in with your family and friends and offer what support you can.
Look after your well-being so you can be a calm, supportive support to others.
Encourage others to talk about the experience and their feelings (especially children).

Returning home

Check your yard or front door for any notes or messages from law enforcement, first responders, or utility companies. They may have inspected the area and left instructions to stay out of your home due to a safety risk.
Check for damage outside of your home.
If safe to enter, check for damage throughout the inside of your home.
Dispose of spoiled food and if you are not sure, throw it out.
Check your utilities for damage.