Manitouwadge Emergency Public Information – BE PREPARED!

Written by Township of Manitouwadge on 15 June 2012

TOWNSHIP OF MANITOUWADGE – BE PREPARED

PLANNING FOR A MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY AND EVACUATIONS

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:

The Township of Manitouwadge Emergency Control Group has developed an Emergency Plan whereby the people who reside in this area can be removed to safety with a minimal amount of delay and confusion in the event of a threatening situation such as a forest fire or a dangerous goods spill.

NOTIFICATION OF PENDING EMERGNECY OR EMERGENCY:

When the siren is activated for one full minute, stops for five minutes and then rings again for one minute, residents are directed to tune into CFNO 93.1 or CBC Radio 89.7 for further information and instructions. And/or by use of the Police and Fire Department address public system, or by door‐to‐door notification.

NOTE: Regular testing of the siren will be conducted monthly – only short blasts are used.

**Emegency Management Coordinator Owen Cranney has advised that there will be a test of the siren to allow residents to re-familiarize themselves with it in the near future. Keep reading OntarioNewsNorth.com for details, there will be ample notice provided prior to the drill*

A PLAN OF YOUR OWN WILL GREATLY ENHANCE YOUR FAMILY’S COMFORT AND SAFETY DURING AN EMERGENCY. THE FOLLOWING ARE GENERAL GUILDLINES WHEN PREPARING FOR AN EVACUATION:

Do not assume that an evacuation will only last a few hours. Plan to evacuate with enough items to keep your family comfortable for at least five days. Use only one suitcase per family member.
Please remember to following all instructions given to you, and if asked to evacuate please do so promptly. Remember to travel on the recommended route.
In case of an emergency, please keep phone lines open for use by emergency workers.
General items to include, keeping your family comfortable: clothing, toiletries, flashlights, cards, books.
Bring all PRESCRIBED MEDICATION.
Bring identification for each family member, money, credit cards etc.
Bring sleeping bags/blankets and if possible small air mattress.
Bring bottled water and non‐perishable food.
Keep your car fuelled and your home prepared as if you were leaving for a week. If you don’t drive please make arrangements with your neighbours to assist you.
Please remember: Pets will not be permitted at the reception centres, please ensure to make proper plans for your pets.
Please consider, do you have an elder neighbour, will they need assistance in evacuating town?

Adults with small children: Remember to include in your kit; infant formula kept warm in a thermos, disposable diapers, baby carriage, and small toys.

ALL RESIDENTS MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR THERFORE; YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WHERE THE REGISTRATION CENTRES WILL BE SET UP. REMEMBER TO NOTIFY YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF YOUR WHEREABOUTS, THEY WILL BE WORRIED ABOUT YOU WHEN HEARING OF THE TOWN EVACUATION.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE. TELEPHNE NUMBER 826‐3227.

911 IS FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY, NOT FOR INFORMATION.

THE BEST WAY TO BE PREPARED IS TO HAVE A PLAN OF YOUR OWN CREATE YOUR OWN ACTION PLAN ONLINE

Please visit: www.ontario.ca/beprepared for further information regarding making of evacuation kits, specific Ontario hazards, and to make your family its own action plan.

To make an Emergency Plan online visit Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) by CLICKING HERE.

TOWNSHIP OF MANITOUWADGE – FIRE PREVENTION/PUBLIC SAFETY

The summer season is upon us, the following are some general guidelines to ensure you and your
family have a safe summer season.

Every year in Canada, approximately 1,300 fires are started by children playing with lighters and matches. They result in an average of 20 deaths, 150 burn injuries and $14 million in property damage. (Source: Product safety bureau, Health Protection Branch, Health Canada).

Each year an estimated 9,000 children in Canada visit emergency rooms for burns and almost half of these children have suffered scalds from hot liquids. (Source: Safe Kids Canada May 2001).

In 2001, 28 Canadian children aged 5 to 14 died from pedestrian injuries and 13 died from cycling injuries. (Source: Deaths, by cause – Chapter XX: External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01‐Y98), age group and sex, Canada 2001).

Furthermore 1,681 children in the same age group were injured as a result of cyclist crashes and 632 suffered from pedestrian injuries.(Source: Canadian Institute for Health Information).

To help prevent these tragedies please take the time to teach your children proper fire safety, remember to keep lighters and matches locked up or stored safely away from children’s reach.

When sending your children outside to ride their bicycles this summer ensure that they have a proper fighting bicycle helmet and that the helmet is certified.

Camping/BBQ season has come at last!

Please ensure that you follow safe cooking practices;

Remember to stay with your BBQ once it’s lit.
Keep your BBQ clean
Turn off the propane when you’re finished cooking.

Backyard and camping fires: First check the current fire hazard rating before you light a fire!

Ensure whether in your backyard or out at camp that you burn properly, keep the fire under control, always have a water bucket/sand or even a shovel on hand, and never leave the fire burning unattended.
Ensure that you campers/cottages have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms ensuring that they work, they are not just for your homes. As well, remember to test them regularly.

Develop and practice a fire escape plan for your camper or cottage so that your family knows what to do should your smoke alarms sound.

If burning candles, remember to burn them in sturdy holders that cover the entire candle and won’t tip.
Remember to blow them out if you leave the room.

As well, the fire department asks that you please dispose of your fire ashes properly. Please remember that even outside in a closed metal container the ashes can stay hot enough to ignite combustible days later.