During an Emergency

An Evacuation Alert allows for the population at risk to begin preparing to voluntarily leave the affected area when it is necessary.

If an evacuation alert is issued:

• Make sure your emergency kit is assembled
• Arrange transportation if necessary
• Make sure you know the planned meeting place for your family
• Prepare to evacuate children, the disable and elderly and relocate pets if possible
• Arrange accommodation for your family if possible
• Follow the directions of authorities

Sometimes an Evacuation Order is immediate and no evacuation alert is given. In other cases an Evacuation Order may be preceded by an evacuation alert.

To order an evacuation, the head of a local government authority must declare a "State of Local Emergency" as enabled under the Emergency Program Act. These orders are issued in the interest of life safety and will be enforced and carried out by the RCMP, local police, fire, search and rescue, and local authorities though door-to-door contact, radio and television broadcasts and telephoning.

If an evacuation order is issued:

• Stay calm!
• Get your emergency kit
• Go to the nearest evacuation site
• Report to the reception centre and register with staffing personnel so friends and family can contact you
• Keep a flashlight and portable radio with you
• Follow the instructions of authorities
• Take everything that you will need as you may not be able to return

Once the emergency is under control and the emergency area is declared safe, a rescind declaration is issued and residents will be allowed to return to their homes.

Occasionally an evacuation may cause more danger to residents than staying in place. In these cases such as sudden storms or earthquakes residents may need to shelter in place.

If you are told to shelter in place:

• Go inside your home or the nearest building as soon as possible
• Close all windows, doors, vents, fireplaces, and openings
• Close all curtains and window coverings and stay away from windows
• Seal any leaks with duct tape, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap
• Turn off heating and ventilation systems
• Avoid using elevators
• Turn on the television or radio for emergency updates
• Do not leave the building until you are advised that it is safe
• Do not try to pick up your children as they will be safer sheltering at school
• Remain where you are until you are told by authorities that it is safe to do otherwise.