OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 15, 2009 · 12 Emergency Preparedness Week educates, entertains Are you prepared for the worst? By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If the unthinkable should happen, is your family prepared to survive on their own for 72 hours? This is the question emergency personnel brought before residents for this year's Emergency Preparedness Week, which kicked off at Town Hall last week. The event saw a variety of emergency vehicles, from fire trucks to a police mobile command unit, parked in the Town Hall parking lot, where residents could view them and see how they operate. Inside Town Hall's South Atrium information booths featuring the Halton Regional Police Service, the Oakville Fire Department, TOWARF (Town of Oakville Water and Air Rescue Force) and other emergency service groups were on hand to give residents important knowledge on who does what during an emergency. As impressive as the emergency equipment and personnel were, however, the event made it clear that should a town-wide emergency take place, these people may not be able to address the needs of every single resident. "We have plans in place for different types of emergencies, but what we're asking people is, `What would happen if you had to leave your home, evacuate from your home for a few days," said Nick Buczynsky, community emergency management coordinator with Halton Region. "Do you have a plan (for example) for what you are going to do with your pet because we can't have pets at our emergency shelters." Buczynsky went on to note that while first responders want to help everyone, when a major emergency takes place they are going to be preoccupied with getting that emergency under control. For that reason Buczynsky recommends every family put together an emergency survival kit that will allow them to get by on their own for a few days. This kit would include a three day supply of water for every member of the family, a three day supply of non-perishable food, which does not require cooking (eg. readyto-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables). First Aid supplies such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen and prescription drugs are also recommended. Those with severe allergic reactions are advised to remember their EpiPens. A change of clothing and footwear for each person, raingear, (hats, gloves scarves in winter) blankets and sleeping bags also need to be included in the kit. All of these things need to be assembled before hand, Buczynsky noted, because when a firefighter or police officer is banging on the door stating there's a need to evacuate, there could be no time to get these items together. Buczynsky urges residents to seriously consider putting a survival kit together as emergencies do not just happen in far away places. "I talk to people about the blackout (2003) and they say, `Oh yeah, that was great. We were outside barbecuing with our neighbours, looking up at the stars,' and I say, `That was August. What would you do if that happened in January and if it had lasted for three days?'" said Buczynsky. "That's what we try to get people to think about. These things can happen. Power failures, severe weather, snow storms and ice storms happen all the time." Buczynsky went on to note that even something like an accident involving a truck or train carrying some kind of hazardous materials could require the evacuation of an area for a certain period. "Halton has been very lucky in avoiding emergencies, but there is nothing to say something like this could not happen in Halton or Oakville," he said. For a full list of items to include in the emergency survival kit, visit www.halton.ca/services/emergencyservices/EmergMgmt.htm and click on the Personal Emergency Preparedness Guide heading. The Regional Pilot Rain Barrel Sales Events Diverting water from your downspout into a rain barrel allows for rain water capture and storage. This is an excellent source of water for your garden. Residents of Halton Region may purchase a rain barrel for $45 (cash only), at any one of the four sales events scheduled for: Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca Notice Of Pesticide Use The Halton Region Health Department monitors standing water and catch basins in urban areas on public lands in The City of Burlington, The Town of Halton Hills, The Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville for mosquito larvae. When mosquito larvae are found, the Health Department uses larvicide to control mosquito larvae in order to reduce the incidence of West Nile virus in Halton. Larvicide will be applied by a licensed applicator contracted by the Region. Date Saturday May 23 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday May 30 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday June 6 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday June 13 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location Halton Hills Civic Centre, 1 Halton Hills Drive, Georgetown Gary Allan Adult Learning Centre, 3250 New Street, (east of Guelph Line), Burlington Halton Waste Management Site, 5400 Regional Road #25, Milton (also pesticide drop off event) Oakville Works Yard, 1140 South Service Road West (between Third and Fourth Line), Oakville In Standing Water Larviciding of standing water will begin once monitoring indicates that mosquito larvae are present through October 31, 2009. The Halton Region Health Department will apply Bob Nosal. The biological larvicide, B.t.i. (Bacillus thurigiensis israelensis) in granular formulation VectoBac 200G (PCP# 18158) and liquid VectoBac 1200L (PCP #21062), will be placed in affected standing water on public lands in urban areas in The City of Burlington, The Town of Halton Hills, The Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Signs will be posted at each location indicating when the larvicide was applied. In Catch Basins Larviciding of catch basins will begin once monitoring indicates that mosquito larvae are present through October 31, 2009. The Halton Region Health Department will apply The larvacide Altosid pellets (PCP# 21809) pellet formulation or Altosid XR Briquets (PCP# 27694) ingot formulation will be placed in catch basins in urban areas on public lands in The City of Burlington, The Town of Halton Hills, The Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. For the locations and dates of treatment please visit our website at www.halton.ca/wnv. For more information about West Nile virus, please call Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, or TTY 905-827-9833. 150509 Limit of one per household, while supplies last Must provide proof of Halton Region residency (such as Driver's License) Comes equipped with mosquito screen Downspout adaptation and mosquito prevention instructions included with purchase For more information visit www.halton.ca/waterconservation.