What would you do in the event of an environmental emergency?

Individuals, local government and community partners must adopt a collaborative approach to emergency preparedness for environmental emergencies. Some of the ways in which individuals and communities can prepare include:

1. Community Registries: Communities should develop and maintain a registry of high risk vulnerable seniors who will require special care during and following an emergency. While the names and health care information could come from a variety of sources, (regional home care programs, landlords, family physicians, pharmacies, community health centres, seniors’ centres and OAS program administrators), privacy and confidentiality concerns will first need to be addressed. Jurisdictions will need to determine whether new legislation is required to assemble such registries. Another approach was used by the Government of Nova Scotia which partnered with Nova Scotia Hydro to include a questionnaire with customers’ regular Hydro bills, highlighting the importance of broad partnerships. Recipients were then able to self-identify as being at risk. Their responses formed the basis of a “critical care list” to be used at times of emergency.

2. Municipal Training Programs: Municipalities can carry out drills for environmental emergencies including safety near downed power lines, and natural gas or propane leaks, etc. They can also hold regular orientation sessions in all seniors’ residences, housing projects, apartments and condos to prepare residents for responding to an environmental emergency. Long Term Care facilities can be required by law to have plans in place for environmental emergencies, and to conduct training sessions for staff and residents.

3. Community Awareness and Education: Communities can publicize resources such as Your Emergency Preparedness Guide (developed by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, St. John Ambulance and The Salvation Army).

Community partners can work with seniors to make individual emergency plans and to assemble a kit that will provide self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours. Pre-packaged kits are available from the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army as well as from a number of retailers throughout Canada. Recommended items for basic emergency kits include bottled water, food that won’t spoil, matches, batteries, radio, flashlight, first aid kit, cash or travellers’ cheques, essential medications or equipment, personal hygiene supplies, a basic tool kit and a record of vital personal information.

4. Individual Responsibility for Planning and Preparedness: Since the initial response to an environmental emergency such as heat waves will most likely be at the local level, individuals should expect to assume responsibility for themselves to the extent that they are able. It was suggested that the minimum period for this be for at least the first 72 hours or two weeks. Many Canadians experienced this first hand during the six-day ice storm in January, 1998. The ice storm was Canada’s most expensive national disaster and directly affected more people than any other previous weather event, with over 4 million people losing power and 600,000 people having to leave their homes. Some households were without power for a month, due to destruction of transmission towers, and downed utility poles and wires.