Your Community

Emergency Preparedness

Guide Book

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO A HAZARDOUS SPILL

What To Do if Involved in an Emergency

• Generally, if there is an emergency, the municipality will provide the information you need.

• Additionally, local radio stations will broadcast significant emergency information.     

What Should You Generally Do in an Emergency?

• Stay as calm as you can

• If you are outside, seek shelter in a house or automobile

• Turn on your radio

• Remain indoors

What if the Emergency Involves Smoke or Fumes?

• Check the wind direction.  Observe the path of the smoke and fumes and whether they are rising or flowing close to the ground.

• Move out of the path of the smoke or fumes and seek shelter indoors.  DO NOT attempt to go through smoke or fumes.

• If caught in smoke or fumes, REMEMBER A CROSSWIND PATH (at right angle to the wind) IS THE SHORTEST, FASTEST PATH TO ESCAPE.

• Seek shelter in a house or automobile - this can reduce your exposure to one-tenth that of outdoors.

• Turn on your radio.

• Remain indoors.  Close all doors and windows.  Shut down air conditioners, fans, etc. which bring in outside air.  Close all interior doors so you can compartmentalize your house.  These simple measures plus that of placing wet towels under the doors, will do much to prevent the entry of smoke and/or fumes into your home.

What if Fumes Threaten Me Personally?

• Cover your mouth and nose with a wet handkerchief or towel.

What About Evacuating?

• Evacuate only if told to do so.  In the short term, staying indoors with the house closed up is the most effective action you can take.

What if I am Told To Evacuate?

• Take along:  essential medicines; clothes for an overnight stay.

• Leave as quickly as possible.  Lock your doors as you leave.  Follow routes given.  Listen to your car radio.

What Should I NOT Do in an Emergency?

• Do not use the telephone unless absolutely essential.  If many people use the phones, it overloads the circuits and prevents emergency calls from getting through.

• Do not call or travel to your children's school.  Police and fire officials will take care of schools.

If You Are Included in the Community Alert Network (CAN) System:

     Dupont Canada Maitland site provides, free of charge access to a sophisticated emergency notification system for municipalities, organizations, businesses and industries in Leeds and Grenville.  When an emergency arises in your area, this notification system might be activated by the proper authorities.

     If so, you could receive a phone call telling you the particulars of the event, what you should do, and how you will be updated around the event (this might include follow up telephone calls using the System or asking you to turn on your radio to your local radio station for further information and instructions.)

     For additional emergency response information contact your local police service, the OPP, or your local fire department.