Floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can happen anywhere and anytime.
So, that is why it is crucial for your safety and survival to be ’emergency ready’ at all times for any emergency situation.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
News Release
March 14, 2011
Disasters around the world a harsh reminder of the importance of being ’emergency ready’ here at home
In light of recent natural disasters and crises in other countries, the City of Toronto’s Office of Emergency Management is encouraging Toronto residents to take steps to be prepared for any emergency situation.
“The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the earlier earthquake in New Zealand show that an emergency can occur any time and any place – often without warning,” said Loretta Chandler, Director of the Office of Emergency Management. “It’s important that we understand the risks and prepare ourselves and our families for any emergency that we might face in Toronto.”
Being “emergency ready” means that you should have a plan so you and your family know what to do in an emergency. You should have an emergency kit – at home, at work and in your vehicle – with food, water and supplies to last at least 72 hours. Having insurance is also important to help protect your family and your home.
Depending on the nature of the emergency, you may need to look after your personal needs and those of your family for up to 72 hours after an emergency occurs. Emergency services personnel may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may have to focus their initial efforts elsewhere. You may need to evacuate your home with little or no notice, or you might be asked to “shelter in place” with little or no access to external sources of food, water and other supplies.
More information about how you can prepare for an emergency is available on the Office of Emergency Management’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/oem.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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