An emergency is any dangerous or potentially dangerous situation that could hurt people, cause death, or severely damage homes and property. Emergencies can result from natural, technological, or human causes. Although an emergency event might be caused by a natural event (e.g. a tornado), it’s likely to produce a secondary effect (e.g., a power outage).

Huron County residents and households are strongly encouraged to be prepared for an emergency by making a household emergency plan and building an emergency kit.

In an emergency, it may take emergency workers some time to reach you. Be prepared by having a 72-hour kit that can hold supplies to support you and your household for three days in an emergency situation. If you have a car, consider keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle, especially for the cold weather season.

An emergency plan says how you and your household will respond to a disaster, and helps you save time and keep you safe. Making an emergency plan for your household is easy! Create a printable Home Emergency Plan by completing a 20-minute online form.

Heading to the cottage or campground? Have your Camp, Cottage and RV Emergency Plan ready and enjoy your recreational stay safely.

Municipalities routinely respond to events requiring crisis and first responder services, but some, large-scale emergencies will require large scale resources. The County of Huron Emergency Plan works to protect the health, safety, welfare, and property of Huron County residents from the effects of a major emergency.

The County reviews and updates its emergency plan annually. Together we work to ensure that our community is prepared to respond to an emergency to the best of its ability.

Learn more: County of Huron Emergency Plan

All Ontario municipalities are governed by the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). Under this Act, the County of Huron has an emergency program that consists of:

• An emergency plan.
• Training programs and exercises about emergency preparedness.
• Public education materials on emergency preparedness.
• Additional requirements related to standards for emergency programs.

Every municipality in Ontario has a dedicated Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC). This specialized and highly skilled member of staff is responsible for coordinating the County’s emergency management programming including holding regular emergency preparedness drills and community public education.

The County’s CEMC also provides emergency management coordinator services to its following partner municipalities:

• Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
• Bluewater
• Central Huron
• Howick
• Huron East
• Morris-Turnberry
• North Huron
• South Huron

Alert Ready in Ontario is part of Canada’s emergency alerting system to deliver critical and potentially life-saving emergency alert messages to Canadians. Emergency alerts are distributed on radio, TV and compatible wireless devices to help ensure that Ontarians have the critical information they need in emergencies to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

In the event of an emergency, it is critical that everyone who is affected gets timely and accurate information. In an emergency, tune into local radio stations for up-to-the-minute information on the situation.

 Wingham

• AM920 CKNX
• FM101.7 The One
• Cool FM94.5

Goderich

• FM104.9 Country

Kincardine

• Shoreline Classics FM

Exeter

• 90.5 Exeter Today

what3words is a free-to-use location app that has divided the globe into 3metre squares and given each one a unique three word-identifier. It means any precise location can be communicated with just three words.

Ontario Provincial Police, Huron County’s local police service, are using and accepting what3words addresses. Canadian emergency services may find you faster by sharing your what3words address.

211 Ontario supports members of the public, emergency responders, municipalities, and other non-government organizations during and following an emergency incident. This public information channel disseminates authoritative information to the public and reports back to municipal officials regarding caller needs and trends. Dial 2-1-1 for trained Information & Referral specialists available 24 hours per day, every day of the year.

Huron County’s proximity to Lake Huron can increase certain risks – including the possibility of more severe summer and winter storms – and being neighbours to Bruce Power does require certain emergency preparedness measures be met, in the highly unlikely scenario of a nuclear emergency.

www.bepreparedgreybrucehuron.com is an educational resource developed by Bruce Power in partnership with neighbouring counties and health units to help every household in the area prepare for and respond to severe weather or other emergencies which might arise.

Public Safety Canada provides everything you need to know about regional hazards and emergencies, creating a household emergency plan and building an emergency kit.

Learn more at getprepared.gc.ca

Along with a 72 hour kit, considcer creating an emergency communications plan. This will help ensure that you and your household know who to call in an emergency situation.

Downed utility lines, power company blackouts, heavy snow falls or summer storms can lead to power outages. Portable generators are a temporary solution to power household appliances. It’s important to know that portable generators emit carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous, deadly gas. Download the Generator Safety guide!

Being prepared for an emergency includes the whole family. Make learning about emergency preparedness fun with a kids activity! Complete a word search, colour an emergency kit, and talk about your family’s emergency plan today. Download the Emergency Preparedness Kids Activity!

Did you know that Climate Change and emergency preparedness are connected?

Climate change research has shown that Huron County is expected to have more severe weather, extreme temperatures, and higher precipitation and flooding by 2050. This can result in damage to property and risks to human health. Learn more by downloading our infographic!

Learn more about how you can be prepared for severe winter weather including tips, winter weather information, and winter driving information.

Emergency Preparedness Week is happening on May 5-11, 2024. Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually since 1996. It is a collaborative event undertaken by provincial and local emergency management organizations to help raise awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness for all Canadians. Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity for individuals to learn how they can become prepared to protect themselves, family members, and communities during an emergency. This year, the theme is Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.