The Emergency Plan for the Town of Gananoque has been developed to reflect the public safety requirements of our community. Together we work to ensure that our community is prepared to respond to an emergency in the most effective manner possible. The aim of this plan is to protect the health, safety, welfare and property of the citizens of Gananoque, from the effects of a natural, technological or human caused emergency.
An emergency means a situation or an impending situation caused by the forces of nature, an accident, an intentional act or otherwise that constitutes a danger of major proportions to life or property.”
To learn more download the Town of Gananoque - Emergency Response Plan.
Be Prepared – Here’s How
Step 1: Be Informed
Emergency response begins with the individual, then the community, the province and then the federal government. Emergency management is truly a joint effort. Please join us at ensuring the Town of Gananoque is a disaster resilient community, and prepare now.
First, become informed of the risks found in your community (refer to Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment). Knowing the possible risks will help you better plan for them. Make sure you have explored insurance coverage for the range of risks found in Gananoque. Think about how your family might respond to each risk.
Next, you should become informed of your children's school and/or daycare's evacuation and emergency plans. Ensure that they know your current contact information. Find out about the emergency plan at your workplace. What would be your role in case of an emergency? Ask questions - be informed.
Step 2: Make a Plan
Prepare your family emergency plan. The objective of a family emergency plan is to be prepared to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours. To prepare consider the following:
- An out of area contact, someone each member of the family can call in case of an emergency. This person can help family members stay in touch and get together if they are separated. Be sure to pick someone who is far enough away so as not to be affected by the same situation.
- Temporary accommodation for your family, such as a friend's place, family or hotel, where you can stay for a few days in case you are evacuated.
- Temporary accommodation for your pets. If the above temporary accommodations do not accept animals, you should plan for alternate accommodations for your pets such as kennels and/or the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). Remember not all family members, friends, emergency shelters or hotels accept animals.
- Have all your important contact information listed in your family emergency plan (local emergency numbers, out of town contacts, family contacts, work numbers, school/daycare numbers, temporary accommodation numbers and other important numbers).
- Health information should be recorded in your plan. Make copies of all your prescriptions.
- Print out your family emergency plan and give a copy to each member of your family, your out of area contact, your children's school/daycare, post a copy near your home telephone, and place one in your emergency kit.
Step 3: Prepare a Kit
Assemble an emergency kit. Having supplies on hand can help you survive the emergency and, if necessary, make you self-sufficient for three days or longer. Emergency kits should be portable so place in an easy to carry duffel bag or container.
Checklist:
- Flashlight and batteries
- radio and batteries or crank radio
- spare batteries
- first aid kit
- candles and matches/lighter
- extra car keys and cash
- important papers
- food and bottled water
- clothing and footwear
- blankets or sleeping bags
- toilet paper and other personal supplies
- medication
- backpack/duffle bag
- whistle
- playing cards/games
For current updates, regarding flooding and drought conditions visit the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority website.
The CRCA has numerous water conservation web links on their website.
Emergency Management Ontario provides a lot of information to help prepare for different situation.
The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit also has great information to help keep informed.
