Be Prepared Manitouwadge – Emergency Management Coordinator Speaks at GAC

Written by admin on 21 June 2012

Mr. Owen Cranney, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Township of Manitouwadge, speaks at the Golden Age Club regarding emergency planning earlier this week.

MANITOUWADGE, ON – June 18^th, Trena Roberts, Coordinator of the Manitouwadge Family Health Team’s Older Adult Program facilitated a presentation, at the Golden Age Club, by Township of Manitouwadge Emergency Management Coordinator Owen Cranney regarding the township’s emergency plan, the control group which works to provide information to the public in the case of an emergency and what people can do themselves to be prepared in the case of an emergency. Potential emergency situations could include residents being stuck in their homes for several days without power or other services they rely on in day-to-day life or being notified of an evacuation order including if the latter was not via the obvious exit route, Highway 614.

Among the messages Cranney conveyed to those in attendance, and repeated for all residents when interviewed by OntarioNewsNorth.com (see interview video below) , was the importance of being prepared by having their own:

Home Plan;
Home Emergency kit (see Be Prepared Ontario suggestions on left);
Packed Evacuation Bag

in place and that those family members or friends included in your Home Plan be advised of where you keep it, your Emergency Kit and Evacuation Bag.

Cranney explained that people’s Evacuation Bag should be at the ready including toiletries, medications or other personal items required to meet any special needs of the members of your family such as infants, people with special needs and disabilities, seniors and pets as if going on vacation for at least 5 days. An examples of special needs items to include for families with infants and toddlers could be diapers, baby food and formula, bottles, sippy cups, toys, crayons and paper etc.

Cranney also reminds everyone that a Home Plan should include copies of important documents, identification and important phone numbers for themselves and any minor children or other person(s) in their care. That chargers for any electronic devices should be on the list of things to pack if needing to evacuate. He stressed that anyone receiving hospital or home-care treatments should speak with their doctor or RN in advance to inquire regarding where else these services are available as, if residents were being evacuated to Marathon for example, but the treatment you receive is only available at the Lady Dunn Health Centre (Wawa) and not Wilson Memorial General Hospital (Marathon) then going to Marathon upon evacuation would be problematic. Cranney also suggested that homeowners contact their insurance providers to enquire regarding “rider’s insurance” which may provide hotel accomodations in the case of an evacuation – again he emphasized that inquiring in advance regarding such things could ensure that, in the case of an emergency, you and your family are well prepared and consequently much more comfortable.

As Coordinator for the Manitouwadge Family Health Team’s Older Adult Program, Trena Roberts schedules information sessions on a variety of topics each month. Among the topics featured at past sessions are Medication Management, Fraud Protection and the aforementioned Emergency Planning. Roberts welcomes feedback from local seniors, encouraging anyone with a topic idea or interest in a particular Guest Speaker to contact her at the Manitouwadge Family Health Team [826-3174 or t.roberts@mfht.ca].