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Emergency Planning - During an Emergency
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When disaster strikes, people usually react in a calm and reasonable manner. To help protect yourself and others around you in an emergency situation, responding responsibly requires good common sense. Here are some helpful reminders to keep you on track.
Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.
If the disaster occurs near you, check for injuries -- to yourself and to others (tend to your own well-being first). Give first aid and get help for anyone seriously injured.
If the emergency occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
Sniff for gas leaks starting at the water heater or furnace. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows and get everyone outside quickly.
Shut off any other damaged utilities. Notify the utility company of the problem.
Confine or secure your pets.
Call your family contact. Do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbours, especially those who are elderly or disabled.
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Deliberate, human-caused hazards
Although the risk of a terrorist incident in Canada is low, world events have increased awareness and concern about possible incidents. Governments, first responders and citizens need to understand and be aware of the types of terrorism-related incidents that could threaten public safety. It is important to be prepared for any emergency and to know how to react if one does occur. The advice below provides some practical steps you should take in a variety of situations.
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Bomb threat
If you receive a bomb threat, stay calm and try to get as much information as possible. Although this might be difficult, try to note any unique features about the voice and any background sounds you hear over the telephone. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible and record every word that is said.
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Try to note the following:
if the speaker is male or female
if the speaker has an accent
if the voice is disguised, muffled or funny-sounding
if the voice is shrill or deep
any background noises (traffic, bus passing, bell ringing, fax or printer sounds)
any indoor vs. outdoor sounds, etc.
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Call the police and building management immediately afterwards.
After you've been notified of a bomb threat, do not touch any suspicious package. Leave the area where the suspicious package was found. Notify the police immediately. After evacuating a building, avoid standing in front of windows or other potentially hazardous areas. Do not block the sidewalk or street; it will need to be kept clear for emergency officials.
In the case of an explosion, get out of the building as quickly and calmly as possible. If items are falling off bookshelves or from the ceiling, get under a sturdy table or desk until the situation has stabilized enough for your safe passage. Remember: ensure your own safety before trying to help others.
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Fire
For the safety of you and your family, every household should have a home escape plan. The following information will be helpful in the event of a fire.
Stay low to the floor (the smoke and heat will rise to the ceiling first) and exit the building as quickly and safely as possible. Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. Stay below the smoke at all times.
If you approach a closed door, use the palm of your hand and forearm to feel the lower, middle and upper parts of the door. If it is not hot, brace yourself against the door and open it slowly. If it is hot to the touch, do not open the door -- seek an alternate escape route as the path behind the door will not be safe.
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Chemical releases
Persons exposed to certain chemicals (household, industrial or war chemicals) could suffer injury, disease or death. Hazardous chemicals can be released by accident or through a deliberate act of criminal intent. In either case, it is important to listen to the directions of emergency responders. Sometimes you should seal yourself inside the building you are in (see "Sheltering-in-place"), and sometimes you should move to higher elevations or evacuate the area. Emergency responders are trained to identify hazards and provide appropriate guidance to the public. Chemical agents that could be used by terrorists vary from warfare agents to toxic chemicals commonly used by industry.
When an accidental chemical spill occurs, an evacuation of nearby communities is often ordered as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and safety of residents. Stay away from the accident. Advise the nearest police services office. Remember to listen to the radio; emergency responders in your area will provide the necessary instructions.
If you suspect a chemical substance has been released in a closed area such as a subway or building, avoid breathing any of the fumes and evacuate as quickly as possible. Immediately contact the closest police, fire and ambulance services. Decontamination might be required before you can receive medical attention. Heed advice from local officials.
Exposure to a chemical substance may require quarantine and the attention of medical authorities. Because the type of chemical may not be known right away, treatment is based on symptoms. Keep track of symptoms (breathing and heart rate, perspiration, dizziness, skin tone, deliriousness) and communicate them to medical personnel and public health agencies.
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Biological agents
Biological agents are bacteria or viruses that can be deliberately dispersed in such a way as to cause disease and/or death.
A person exposed to a biological agent should obtain immediate medical attention. In combating the personal health implications of bio-terrorism, treatment is better than prevention. Taking antibiotics ahead of time is not recommended. This could lead to an increased risk of side effects in the general population, an increase of drug resistance of the bacteria and a shortage of supplies.
If you experience sustained or unusual symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. If you have been exposed (or think you might have been exposed) to a biological agent but you are not ill, you should still contact the public health authorities as quickly as possible. Public health officials will assess and manage the risks for anyone who may have been exposed to a dangerous substance. If need be, post-exposure treatment with antibiotics might be recommended by health officials.
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Sheltering-in-place
If you are advised by local officials to "shelter-in-place", you must remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there. The following steps will help maximize your protection.
Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems.
Close the fireplace damper.
Get your emergency supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
Go to an interior room that's above ground level (if possible, one without windows). In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
Continue to monitor your radio or television until you are told all is safe or are advised to evacuate. Local officials may call for the evacuation of specific areas in your community that are at greatest risk. Responders will advise when it is safe to leave the premises.
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Evacuation
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request and you should heed their advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials, keeping these simple tips in mind.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
Take your emergency supplies kit.
Lock your home.
Take a cellular telephone if you have one.
Collect family members or go to the place designated in your family plan as a meeting place.
Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don't use shortcuts. Certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
Stay away from downed power lines.
If you go to an evacuation centre, sign up at the registration desk so you can be contacted or reunited with your family and loved ones.
Contact your out-of-area emergency contact (identified in your personal emergency plan) to let that person know what has happened, that you are okay and how to contact you. Alert your contact to any separated family members.
Listen to local or provincial/territorial authorities for the most accurate information about an event in your area. Staying tuned to local radio and television stations, and following their instructions, is your safest choice.
If you're sure you have time:
Call or e-mail your family contact to tell him or her where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
Plan to take your pets with you; do not leave them behind. Because pets are not permitted in public shelters, follow your plan to go to a relative or friend's home -- or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
If instructed to so do, shut off water and electricity before leaving. Leave natural gas service 'on' unless local officials advise otherwise. You may need gas for heating and cooking. You might need to contact your utility company to reconnect appliances or restore gas service in your home once it's been turned off. In a disaster situation, it could take weeks for a professional to respond.
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