Reprinted with Permission

For the past few years, the frequency and scale of tragic events that affect large geographic areas and great numbers of people seems to be on the increase. To name but a recent few, terrorist attacks (9/11, bombings in London July, 2005), natural disasters (Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami, August, 2005 Hurricane Katrina in the Southern U.S.) and utility failures (Aug, 14, 2003 blackout that affected one Canadian province and 8 U.S. states), are events that we have either experienced firsthand, had someone we know experience or at the very least, have watched or read about the impact of these events. Now, more than ever, it is important to prepare ourselves to be able to cope with extraordinary situations should we find ourselves, our families, friends or communities affected by these, or similar, situations.

To help lessen the impact of these tragedies, it’s important that we take steps to ensure that we have prepared as best we can for events that could damage the infrastructure that we are fortunate enough to enjoy.

One important step is to develop an emergency kit for your home. The kit should provide you with enough supplies so that you and your family can be self sufficient for 3 days.

In response to a large or widespread incident, services to repair water mains, gas lines, electrical lines, etc. will be delayed, possibly for days or longer. In addition, emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance personnel will be delayed in responding to calls for assistance.

The following is a list of some types of items that you should consider as part of your kit:

• Water and food for at least 3 days
• First Aid kit
• Tools and supplies
• Items for sanitation
• Clothing and bedding
• Items for those with special needs (eg. babies, children, elderly)

Keep your kit in an easily accessible spot such as the front closet.

For greater detail on the items that should be a part of your kit, as well as other advice, tips and recommendations, visit the following websites:

http://www.redcross.ca
http://www.ocipep.gc.ca
http://www.safecanada.ca
http://www.redcross.org
http://www.osha.gov

Don’t forget that you should also keep an emergency kit in your car(s), particularly if you travel to remote areas on a regular basis or are planning a long trip.

Another important aspect of preparedness is to have a household or family plan.

There are many sources that you can draw on to assist you in the creation of your family plan. In addition to the links above, you can access your provincial and local emergency providers for information on the steps you should take and the plans that they have in place for large-scale incidents. Spend some time learning what types of incidents the area you live and work in is particularly at risk of and do what you can to mitigate the threats that those risks can create.

The following are the provincial sites for emergency management that can help you in this regard:

British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Yukon


The plan should specify at least two meeting places. First, an area close to your home (i.e. within a few blocks) where family can gather if there is an incident that affects only your home. Secondly, an area within a few miles (eg. a friend or relative’s home) where family can gather during an event that affects your community.

Of particular importance in the plan is a method to communicate should household members become separated. Ensure that you have identified a contact that lives in another region that would be unlikely to be affected by the same event. This person should be willing to serve as a conduit of information between family members who may be separated during a regional event. The contact should be able to act as a coordinator, facilitating the reunion of separated family members and ensuring that messages and information are disseminated. Ideally, the contact will have a landline phone, cell phone and access to email.

With your plan, you should also keep copies of important family documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, power of attorney, wills and insurance policies. Originals should be kept in a safe place such as a safety deposit box or perhaps with the out of town contact you have identified. A copy of the plan should also be a part of your emergency kit.

Once you have built your kit and documented your plan, you’ve made it past the hard part! Don’t allow yourself to lose the work you have done! Ensure you setup a schedule to maintain the kit, plan and contact information so that everything is available when you need it and you are able to get in touch with all of your contacts. To ensure that your plan works, make sure that everyone has read it, understands it and agrees with it.

As part of your maintenance schedule, you need to exercise your plan. Practice makes perfect, particularly with children. A good exercise will highlight areas that need improvement or areas that need to be reinforced. After you have exercised your plan, don’t forget to capture what went wrong and right and use it to improve your plan.