Emergency Planning

The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act mandates municipalities to be pro-active and consistent in their approach to Emergency Management. Under the Act, all municipalities in Ontario (Counties and local municipalities) must meet their emergency planning objectives following a phased approach. The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, under the guidance of its Emergency Management Program Committee, maintains the essential level requirements of the program, including the identification of critical infrastructure and accessing the most likely hazards to occur within Leeds and Grenville.

Christina Conklin, the Counties Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC), chairs the Committee and coordinates its activities. The Emergency Management Program Committee holds regular meetings quarterly and as required. The committee meets to discuss all aspects of the Emergency Management Program and the input provided helps to guide the Coordinator. The membership on the committee is comprised of:

• Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
• Chief, Paramedic Service
• Director of Public Works
• Director of Community and Social Services
• Director of Corporate Services
• Emergency Management Program Coordinator (also known as Alternate CEMC)
• Scribe

The Committee is also responsible for the annual revision and enhancement of the Counties Emergency Response Plan.

On January 23, 2020, Counties Council adopted the updated Emergency Response Plan under By-Law 22-68. The plan was developed by the Emergency Management Program Committee and is reviewed annually to ensure that it remains current and contains appropriate measures to address risks within the community as they are identified.

The Community and Social Services (CSS) Division of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville has the mandate to meet the basic needs of residents of member and separated municipalities within Leeds and Grenville in the event of a peacetime emergency. This authority has been accorded to CSS under By-Law 99-49. The plan has been developed in concept with community partners, all of whom play an essential role in the provision of these services.

In the event of a peacetime emergency, CSS may be requested by a municipality to provide the following services to evacuees and/or volunteers:

• emergency feeding
• emergency clothing
• emergency lodging
• emergency registration and inquiry
• emergency psycho-social services

Pre-designed evacuation centres exist across Leeds Grenville. These locations have been selected for their accessibility, ability to house large numbers of evacuees, and they meet applicable health and safety regulations. In the event of an emergency, CSS employees, along with members of a number of partner agencies, staff and operate the evacuation centres.

Leeds Grenville and the Emergency Management Program Committee are committed to promoting and encouraging public education and awareness of emergency planning. Our primary focus is encouraging individuals and their respective families to take actions to ensure personal emergency preparedness.

The public education and awareness program aims at providing information to our citizens about some of the hazards which exist in our communities. The objective is to ensure that residents and visitors are well-informed and as prepared as possible to cope with an emergency. In particular, the program stresses the importance of every individual being self-sufficient for up to 72 hours following an emergency. Recent events world-wide have demonstrated that in the event of a large-scale emergency or disaster, it can take up to 72 hours for coordinated emergency response to occur.

Follow the links for additional public information and pamphlets.

• Emergency Management Ontario
• Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
• Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
• Keep updated with flood risk notifications by visiting the Conservation Authority in your area.

Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

South Nation Conservation Authority

Alert Ready , Canada's Emergency Alert System, is designed to deliver critical and potentially life-saving alerts through television and radio so you know when to take action to keep yourself and your family safe. Note: as of April 6, 2018 compatible mobile devices will be able to receive emergency alerts (natural disaster notifications). Find out if your device is compatible www.alertready.ca

Emergency Preparedness

Everyone has a role to play in an emergency. Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity to take action to ensure you are prepared to protect yourself, your family and your community during an emergency. This year, the theme is “Be Prepared. Know Your Risks” which is intended to encourage Canadians to take action to become better prepared for the range of emergencies they could face in their region. All municipalities are required to have an Emergency Response Plan which outlines how they will respond to emergencies within their jurisdiction. For your local Emergency Response Plan, please check your municipality’s website.


Things you can do to prepare for an emergency:

BUILD A 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT

In case of an emergency, it is important you and your household are self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Your Kit should be easy to carry and stored in a location known by all members of your household. Already have a Kit? Make sure to check it at least twice a year to replace items which may have expired, such as food, water and batteries, or to reflect any life changes, such as adding or removing medications and baby or pet supplies.

MAKE A PLAN

Your family should have an emergency plan and know what to do in case of an emergency. Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs. Plan how to meet or how to contact one another. Discuss what you would do in different situations.

RESEARCH AND LEARN

Learn about risks and hazards in your area that can trigger emergencies such as flooding, chemical spills, infectious disease outbreaks, or weather-related events. Inquire at workplaces, schools, daycare centres and long-term care homes that may impact yourself or a family member about their emergency, evacuation and communication plans. Please visit www.GetPrepared.ca for more information about building a 72 hour emergency kit, making a plan for your household and staying informed during an emergency.

FLOODS – What can I do?

Before: Keep your Emergency Kit updated and review your household’s emergency plan. Move furniture, electrical appliances and important documents to floors above ground level.


During: Listen to the radio or other communications, if available, to be informed of what to do and where to go if your local emergency officials ask you to leave your home. If you need to evacuate, take your Emergency Kit with you and follow routes specified by emergency officials. Do not drive or walk through flooded areas.


After: Only return home once emergency officials have advised it is safe to do so. If you have a well, do not drink the water until it has been tested. Minimize contact with flood water and anything the flood water has touched as it could be contaminated. Restock your Emergency Kit.

www.GetPrepared.ca

Leeds Grenville recognizes the importance of conducting regular emergency exercises and is committed to supporting our member and separated municipalities and partner agencies by participating in their exercises. In addition, every year, members of the Counties Control Group participate in an exercise specially designed to assess and practice our emergency response role.