Emergency Preparation
Emergency Preparedness Week will take place from May 5 to 11. And this year's exercise will be on May 7, 8 and 9, and focus on being prepared for an extreme heatwave. Materials from the provincial government will be published in due course and will then be uploaded here for your reading.
It is of extreme importance to be prepared for all emergencies, at least to some degree. And this is the government's effort to prepare residents of Gordon/Barrie Island for this eventuality. By taking simple, easy steps one can survive a heatwave relatively painlessly in contrast to not being prepared.
Be Prepared
Emergency Response Plan
All municipal governments in Ontario are legally required to have an up-to-date Emergency Response Plan. This plan outlines steps and procedures and emergency protocols in the event of a crisis. Find out what the protocols are by dropping by and requesting to read the Gordon/Barrie Island Emergency Response Plan at the Municipal Office on Noble Sideroad.
Personal Emergency Kit
Please take the time to put together an emergency kit for yourself and your loved ones just in case there is an emergency. This kit can include the basics that might make a big difference if things turn sour. Best to be prepared.
Take Action to Prepare
Measures such as stocking up on fuel and canned goods can make a difference during these dangerous and unpredictable times. If you have a dug well, buy a hand pump. Little things can make a big difference. Be wise. Think of what you might need to endure another lockdown.
Winter is Here
Extreme cold can bring extreme weather events such as ice storms and power outages. Please be aware of the things you can do to protect yourself from being caught out. Please click the link below to read the suggestions from the provincial government during the winter season.
The Emergency Preparedness of Gordon/Barrie Island adheres to the strict standards as dictated by EMO (Emergency Management Ontario). During an emergency, we have outside, off-island resources to aid in emergency management so that our residents are safe from the perils of living on an island in the middle of the Great Lakes. We take this very seriously. Please drop by our office so you can read our Emergency Response Plan that is available below the counter to all taxpayers in the municipality.
There are several links that can help anyone prepare themselves for a wide array of possible emergencies. The government has put together several pages that will be helpful for anyone trying to prepare from emergencies ranging from wildland fires to flooding to extreme weather events. Here are some links to check out:
- Get Prepared: Home
- Be prepared for an emergency | ontario.ca
- Public Safety Canada - Home
- Ontario - Canadian Red Cross
Within these pages of these links lies a treasure of information relating to emergency preparedness for all. We encourage you to peruse these links and bookmark and cut-and-paste info that you want to reference. It pays to be prepared because there will be another emergency coming.
The Municipal Office in Gordon/Barrie Island is the Emergency Operations Centre during an emergency. As such we are equipped with the resources and equipment necessary to conduct emergency management operations within our municipality. As part of our resources, we have a HAM radio system that is connected to the ARES network (Amateur Radio Emergency Service). This enables us to be in communication with provincial and federal sources during an emergency, particularly during a power outage when the traditional communication lines are down. The ARES network is the lifeline for us during a crisis. Don't fret. During an emergency your municipal government can be in touch via the ARES network with the resources needed to manage most any emergency. And remember, the Municipal office on 29 Noble Sideroad is your Emergency Operations Centre during an emergency. If you are concerned, please do not hesitate to call us at the office during an emergency. Our telephone number is 705-282-2702.
More from the government
The provincial government website has quite a bit of pertinent information available for those wanting to know what they can do to protect themselves from an emergency situation. This page has a comprehensive overview that could be helpful to our Gordon/Barrie Island residents: Be prepared for an emergency | ontario.ca
For tips on winter preparation and mitigation, this link will take you to a page specifically aimed at those who want to protect themselves against extreme weather events during the cold season: Winter storms | ontario.ca
To read the provincial government's emergency response plan, click here: Provincial Emergency Response Plan | Ontario.ca
More websites to visit for more information related to emergencies, well-being and local health services:
The government is working every day to keep the 14.5 million people of Ontario safe, practiced and prepared during emergencies and natural disasters.
Ontario Corps harnesses the goodwill and civic pride of Ontarians by pooling volunteers to help communities during emergencies and supports emergency volunteer response efforts by partnering with:
- provincial ministries
- municipalities
- First Nations
- non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- community groups
This initiative will ensure we are better prepared and quick to respond when the next emergency strikes a community, region, or the entire province.
Join the corps! When there is an emergency, join us in the fight to save lives. Free training. Apply here: Ontario Corps volunteer registration | ontario.ca
For those in need of information on a wide range of things, please call 211. You can speak to a human being who is always ready to pick up the telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. Whether during an emergency or just wondering where to go when looking for resources in Ontario, this is the telephone number to call. Or visit the website at: www.211ontario.ca Or you can download and read the pdf below to learn all about 211. There is also a live chat service on the website.
Dial 2-1-1
Toll-Free: 1-877-330-3213
TTY: 855-405-7446
Our helpline is answered by real people 24/7. Service is available in 150+ languages.
Be Prepared for the Next Emergency
We have the ability to monitor emergencies throughout the province so we are aware of impending emergencies off-island that might affect us. EMO (Emergency Management Ontario) is a very pro-active entity when it comes to warning municipalities and providing local governments with what they need to manage an emergency.