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The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 6, 2006 - 7 Are you prepared for an emergency? By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF WINNER BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER '97, '98, '99, '02, '03 & '04 '05 From firefighters to police officers, Oakville's first responders maintain they are well prepared for any emergency. That said, they are appealing to local residents to do their part to be ready. "We're prepared, are you?" said Oakville Fire Department (OFD) Public Education Officer Michael Harrison. That sentiment was echoed throughout Thursday morning's Town Hall kickoff to Emergency Preparedness Week (May 7-13), especially by Fire Chief Richard Boyes. "Emergencies come in many forms and we want you to be as prepared as possible," said Boyes, whose speech was interrupted momentarily by that morning's small earthquake, as if to precisely underscore his point. Others, like town councillor and acting mayor Jeff Knoll, also reassured Oakville residents that the Town is ready for any emergency. "Keeping our residents safe is one of the Town's top priorities," he said. "Our fire department and all of our municipal departments regularly update our Townwide Emergency Plan to ensure that we are ready to deal with any potential, imminent or actual emergency situation. The plan identifies the impact of an emergency to our community and ensures that the right people and resources are in place." The Town's emergency plan fits with the Emergency Preparedness Week theme of "Prepare Now! Learn How!" and outlines Oakville's responsibilities and actions in case of a major emergency. In cooperation with the Region of Halton and neighbouring municipalities, the Town of Oakville has put in place all necessary guidelines and provisions. "It is imperative that each municipality has a prepared and well rehearsed emergency plan," said Boyes. "Whether we're talking about your home or a municipality, being prepared is an essential component in handling any emergency ­ and Oakville is prepared." This, of course, raises the need for individual homeowners and their families to be ready as well. That's why Oakville's Emergency Preparedness Week offers residents an opportunity to look at their own lives and to see how prepared they are for an emergency. In the event of a large-scale incident, emergency personnel won't be able to attend to everyone's needs right away so it falls on individuals and families to take care of themselves. One easy way to do this, says Harrison, is to have at the ready a "survival kit," ideally one for summer, another for winter. This includes, but is not limited to, a three-day food supply (for pets too), radio and batteries (or crank radio), first aid kit, important papers, medication and much more. Full information is available in the Emergency Management Ontario Web site at www.ontario.ca/emo. An assortment of emergency preparedness pamphlets and guides will also be available at Town Hall until May BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER BE PREPARED: Oakville Fire Chief Richard Boyes holds up a pair of important documents ­ The Town of Oakville Emergency Management Plan and the Personal Emergency Preparedness Guide ­ during Thursday's kick-off at Town Hall of Emergency Preparedness Week (May 7-13). 12 so stop in and fill out a ballot for your chance to win a vehicle emergency kit. Visitors will also find the comprehensive Personal Emergency Preparedness Guide, which includes emergency phone numbers, tips on preparing for the worst, creating a survival kit, specific facts for coping with everything from lightning to hazardous spills and a lot more. "It's an amazing document," said Knoll. 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