Emergency Management

It's important to have a plan in place if you and your family need to evacuate your home during an emergency in the Town of Blind River. Thinking about what you would do in different situations and creating a plan with every member of your family is the first step to being prepared.

Register for our community alerts to receive live emergency notifications.

Create an emergency plan

Your emergency plan should address:

• Where to go during an emergency
• How to get in contact with family members
• What to bring

Discuss your plan with any necessary family and friends and review your plan together every year.

Evacuation route

In case you are asked to evacuate your home or neighbourhood, your family should know how to safely exit your home – by a main exit and an alternate one – and where to meet. Select a safe meeting location near your home and one farther away in case you need to evacuate your neighbourhood.

Communicating with family members

Discuss with your family which ways you would try to get in touch with each other during an emergency. For example, it may be easier to reach someone using text messaging or social media. It may also be easier to make a long-distance call than to call someone locally due to local network damage during an emergency.

Emergency contacts

Keep a list of emergency numbers in a spot where your family can easily see it. Teach children when and how to dial 9-1-1 and other key numbers. Your emergency number list should include:

• 9-1-1 (where available)
• Family Doctor
• Family and friends who can lend support in a crisis
• Fire
• Insurance contact
• Poison control
• Police
• Out-of-town contacts who won't be affected by the same emergency
• Telehealth
• Utility companies

Survival kits

Learn what to pack in a survival kit so you and your family have access to essential supplies during an emergency.

Emergency preparedness for people with disabilities or special needs

People with disabilities or other special needs may have different needs when responding to an emergency. For example, people who are deaf or hard of hearing may need alternative alarm devices to alert them of emergencies. People with mobility limitations might need to make special arrangements for escape planning. People with special medical needs or conditions may need specific medications and equipment on hand in their survival kits.

Talk with your family, neighbours or building superintendent to create an emergency plan that reflects your needs.

The Government of Ontario provides a guide to help people with disabilities or special needs be prepared for an emergency.

Planning outside your home

Ask your workplace and your children's school or daycare about their emergency plans and find out how they will contact family in an emergency. Keep all contact information up to date at your work and your children's school or daycare. If someone else is designated to pick up your children in an emergency, make sure they are familiar with your emergency plan.