In Ontario, all regions are vulnerable to floods, earthquakes, storms and fires. In addition to natural disasters there are other types of risks. There are power outages, industrial accidents, major transportation accidents as well as acts of terrorism.
Emergency Preparedness
If a disaster happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time to get to you as they help those in desperate need. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.
Preparing a plan is the first step to being prepared.
Your plan should include the following:
- A family communications plan
- Evacuation plan
- Review of safety in your home - evacuation route
- Emergency phone numbers
- Fire and other safety
- Utility shut-off procedures
- Important documents
- Emergency planning and safety beyond your home
- Planning for special needs
Your emergency survival kit should have everything you need to be safe and take care of yourself for at least three days.
Your survival kit should include the following:
- Food (non-perishable and easy to prepare items, enough for three days)
- Bottled water (4 litres per person, per day)
- Manual can-opener
- Flashlight and batteries
- Candles and matches/lighter
- Radio (crank or battery-run)
- Medication(s)
- Extra keys for your car and house
- Cash
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
Pet emergency survival kit checklist
Prepare a pet emergency survival kit and keep it with your family kit. Be sure to check the expiry date of your contents twice a year.
Recommended items for dogs and cats:
- Food, water, bowls, manual can opener and spoon
- Up-to-date ID tag
- Current photo of you and your pet
- Emergency contact list of pet-friendly hotels/motels outside your area, friends, relatives and your veterinarian
- Copies of medical records/vaccinations
- Information on feeding schedule, medical and/or behavioural problems
- Medications and first aid kit
- Familiar bedding, small toy and brush
- Leash, collar or harness and muzzle (dogs)
- Litter/pan and scooper (cats) or poop n' scoop bags (dogs)
- Carrier large enough to transport and house your pet
If it's too dangerous for you to stay, it's too dangerous for your pet to stay.
Recommended additional items
- Change of clothing
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
- Whistle
- Garbage bags
- Toilet paper and other personal care supplies
- Safety gloves
- Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, work gloves)
- Small fuel-driven stove and fuel
- Two litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
Basic car kit
- Food that won't spoil (such as energy bars)
- Water
- Blanket
- Extra clothing and shoes
- Candle in a deep can and matches
- First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
- Warning light or road flares
- Small shovel, scraper and snow brush
- List of contact numbers
Recommended additional items to keep in your car
- Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
- Antifreeze, windshield washer fluid
- Tow rope and jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Roadmaps, whistle and flashlight
- During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. Be sure to have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your survival kit in case of power outages.
For additional information on special considerations and extra supplies for evacuation, please visit the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services website.
Be informed
During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. Be sure to have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your survival kit in case of power outages.
National resources
In case of emergency:
Township Emergency Plan
Emergency management
All Ontario Municipalities must have an Emergency Management Program, according to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. These programs include:
- Emergency plans
- Training programs
- Training exercises
- Public education
Emergency management team
The emergency management team includes:
- The Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC)
- The Municipal Control Group (MCG) made up of the Mayor and Township Management staff
The Municipal Control Group works together to review, update and test the official Emergency Plan.
Contact Us
1 Ottawa St. East, PO Box 10, Havelock, Ontario K0L 1Z0
Toll Free 1-877-767-2795
Phone: 705-778-2308
Fax: 705-778-5248
Email: havbelmet@hbmtwp.ca
Sign up to our Newsletter
Stay up to date on the township's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our eNewsletters.