Personal Preparedness Workshop

1. Personal Preparedness Workshop Anytime. Anywhere. Red Cross

2. The Canadian Red Cross • THE RED CROSS MISSION: • To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. • Fundamental Principles • Humanity • Impartiality • Neutrality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality

3. Goal of presentation To prepare individuals, families and communities to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours following a disaster

4. Responsibility It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be prepared to look after yourself during a disaster Your Municipality and Emergency Services will be busy responding to the immediate situation therefore it will be your responsibility to be prepared after a disaster for at least 72 hours

5. Be Prepared “Again and again, studies have shown that people perform better under stress if they think they can handle it...Self-confidence, in other words, can save your life.” Amanda Ripley, The Unthinkable: Who Survives when Disaster Strikes and Why “We are almost always our own first responders because official help cannot arrive quickly enough.” Amanda Ripley, The Unthinkable – Who Survives when Disaster Strikes and why

6. Preparedness: A simple Check list Know your risks Make a plan Prepare emergency kits

7. Know your Risks Environmental: What disasters are likely to occur in your area? Physical: Know the physical and mental abilities of yourself, family and community. How are they prepared? Family: Consider family unit, age, size of your family and other special considerations such as language

8. Major Risks in Canada • Earthquakes • Fires – Structural and Forest • Floods • Hazardous Material Incidents • Nuclear • Severe Weather

9. Top Canadian Disasters in the Last Ten Years • 2011-12 Attawapiskat 2005 Fergus ON, Tornado, • Slave Lake AB Wild Fires Kashechewan Evacuations • Northern Ontario Forest Fires 2004 Peterborough ON, flooding • Saskatchewan Floods 2003 Maritimes, Hurricane Juan • Goderich ON Tornado 2002 Stratford ON, Flooding • PEI Hurricane Igor • Toronto ON Wellesley Apart. Fire • 2009 Saskatchewan, Wild Fires • 2008 Toronto ON Propane Explosion • 2007 No major events • Lebanon Evacuees • Also Notable • 2001 International 9-11 Tragedy • Pine Lake AB Tornado • 1999-2001 Kosovo Refugees • Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick • Ice storm • Peggy’s Cove, NS Swissair Flight 111

10. Know your risks As a family.... • What is the number of members in your family? • What are the age groups in your family? • Are you a single parent? • What are the physical and mental abilities of your • family members? • Does a family member require special equipment? • Do you have a family skills inventory? • How well are you prepared at this moment? • Do you practice your plan annually?

11. Make a Plan Work together as a family Know your family needs Prepare for the season Have a list of contacts Prepare for the risks in your area Know how to escape from house quickly Have a meeting place away from the house Make copies of your important documents Review, update and practice plan annually

12. Things to think about • Necessities: medication, glasses, cash, keys mobility aids • Pets: number and type of pets, food, medication, equipment • Utilities: shut off water and electricity in your house • Contacts: pre-plan emergency numbers • Emergency Kits: location and accessibility of kits for everyone • When you are not there: discuss your plan with others such as babysitters

13. Evacuate • Listen to your radio and/or TV for instructions • Ready items as required • Ensure everyone is ready to go • When announcement is made... GO! • Follow instructions along the route • Watch for hazards along the way • Once out, report you are safe and register with your Municipality or Red Cross If you are asked to evacuate follow the directions

14. Shelter in place • Get indoors and stay there • Lock all windows and outside doors • Depending on the emergency, seek the correct shelter location • Turn off all fans, heating and cooling systems • Bring your pets and supplies with you • Try to select a room with a hard-wired phone

15. Shelter in place • Place wet towels at the base of the door • Using duct tape seal windows / doors • Stay put until you are told it is safe

16. Emergency Kits 72 Hours Evacuation Kit *Grab and Go Kit 72 Hours Shelter in Place Kit Car Kit First Aid Kit Pet Kit Shelter In Place kit Picture Pet Kit Picture

17. After a Disaster • Contact your insurance company • Contact family members, advise you are safe • Listen or read messages from Municipality concerning after disaster services available • Wait for the “all clear” before returning home • Consult professional and reputable experts for repairs

18. Summary of emergency Preparedness Know your risks Make a plan Prepare emergency kits

19. Contact yourlocal Red Cross Office • Get more information and get involved • Purchase a First Aid Kit or Disaster Preparedness Kit • Become a volunteer See www.redcross.ca for Branch locations and contact information