Emergency Preparedness Week

Emergencies are unpredictable and can occur when the family is dispersed.  That's why it's important to be well organized. Since help may be delayed, you are primarily responsible for your safety.  The best way to be prepared is to develop a family emergency plan. This plan includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Providing safe exits from every room in the house; 

• Establishing a meeting place for your family members;

• Appointing designated people to pick up your children if you are unable to do so yourself;

• Plan for special medical needs;

• Plan a place for your pet;

• Write down the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain.
  
  

You can download your emergency plan here

During an emergency situation, you will need some essential items. You may have to manage without running water or electricity. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. It is important to organize these items so they are easy to find.

Here are 8 essential items to include in your emergency kit:

• Drinking water (2 liters of water per person per day);

• First aid kit - antiseptics, painkillers, adhesive bandages, scissors, etc;

• Non-perishable food (canned food, granola bars);

• Manual can opener;

• Headlamp or flashlight - spare batteries or crank lamp;

• Lighter or matches and candles;

• Cash;

• Your family emergency plan.
  
  

You may also choose to purchase an emergency kit from a local retailer.

People living with a disability (physical, visual, hearing or other) or who require special needs in an emergency situation (fire, evacuation, etc.) are strongly encouraged to register on the list. This list allows the personnel of the Fire Department, Public Security and Ambulance Services as well as the first responders to plan and adapt their interventions.

In the event of a long-term power outage, the use of a standby generator is very practical. However, it must be used safely and according to the manufacturer's instructions or it could become dangerous.

Here are some tips on how to use your generator safely:

• Be sure to place the generator outside, never in a garage, in a well-ventilated area away from doors and windows to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the house.
  
  
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and check their batteries frequently. If they are electrically operated, make sure they still have a battery backup. Carbon monoxide intoxication can be fatal.
  
  
• Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If you must use extension cords, make sure they are of the proper size and approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
  
  
• Make sure that the model you choose is suitable for the use you plan to make of it.
  
  
• It is essential to install the generator in a dry area and never in a flooded basement.
  
  
• Protect the unit from rain by placing it under an canopy in case of bad weather.

Did you know that Ville de Saint-Lazare has a Civil Security Committee?

The Municipal Civil Security Committee (MCSC) is responsible for determining the municipality's orientations in terms of civil security and for implementing its civil security plan. It is made up of elected officials and civil servants from the municipal departments concerned. It also includes representatives of citizens, organizations and businesses involved in risk management and disaster response.

Disasters are complex events for which it is difficult to determine the consequences. Ville de Saint-Lazare has the responsibility to be ready to intervene to protect its citizens. This is why the City must have an emergency measures plan in order to be able to face all eventualities.

This plan, developed by the Civil Security Committee, is the result of several reflections aimed at improving the resilience of the municipal organization as well as the safety and quality of life of Saint-Lazare's citizens. The plan is a guide that describes the main lines of intervention during a disaster. It must be revised every 3 years in order to be always at the forefront of our preparedness to the different risks that may occur in our municipality.