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Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health
emergency preparedness kit

Emergency Preparedness

Ensuring your Household is Prepared

All Canadians are encouraged to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies that may occur where they live or travel. If an emergency happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time to get to you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours. Being prepared for an emergency builds confidence and will help you and your family recover faster from an emergency.

Follow these three steps:

  1. Know the risks
  2. Make a plan
  3. Get an emergency kit

1. Know the Risks.

Being prepared and knowing what to do in advance could save your life, and those of your loved ones. Emergencies can occur suddenly and without any advance warning. Although local, provincial, and federal officials are prepared for emergencies, individuals and families play a vital role in preparing for times of crisis when emergency services and other government resources may be strained.

Regional risk such as flooding, severe storms/blizzards and transportation accidents are some of the types of emergencies that are more likely to occur within HPEPH’s catchment area. To learn more about preparing for specific types of emergencies, visit Ontario.ca.

2. Make a Plan

Every Canadian household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. It only takes 20 minutes to complete a personalized plan online. You can then print it out. To complete your emergency plan online, visit the ‘Make an emergency plan’ page from the GetPrepared.ca website.

To fill out your home emergency plan, you will need to think about the following:

  • Safe exits from home and neighborhood
  • Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
  • Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
  • Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
  • Special health needs
  • Place for your pet to stay
  • Risks in your region
  • Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain

Keep this document in an easy-to-find, easy-to-remember place (for example, with your emergency kit). Photocopy this plan and keep it in your car and/or at work.

3. Create an Emergency Kit

In event of an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front-hall closet.

  • Visit getprepared.gc.ca for the Government of Canada’s 72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Guide
  • Visit Ontario.ca to learn how people with disabilities or special needs can prepare for an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties

News, Research and Reports RELATED TO: Household Health

Local Radon Study

PUBLISHED: Monday November 18, 2019

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COVID-19 vaccines in HPE

Eligible individuals can receive their vaccination at many participating local pharmacies by contacting the pharmacy directly. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for location and registration information.

Vaccine ordering for health care providers

Vaccine orders for routine immunizations and STI medications continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note that our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure has changed. For the most up to date pick up schedule please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-orders-info-healthcare-providers/.