Prepare for Disaster

We all have a responsibility to prepare for emergencies. At home, this requires an understanding of everyone’s unique needs, supplies to take care of yourself for a period of at least 72 hours, that's 3 days, while emergency workers help those in urgent need. Also required are detailed plans on what you will do if there is an emergency. At work, your emergency planning should include procedures to deal with a disruption, and an understanding of how specific hazards would impact your business.

• What are the risks
• Prepare at home
• Prepare at work
• Prepare for specific emergencies

What are the risks

Manitoba is a large and varied province, with everything from arctic tundra to vast bodies of water to expansive prairies. Our unique geography and varied climates results in a wide range of potential hazards, with many unique regional and local variances.

Overland river flooding is one of Manitoba’s most regular emergency, especially during the spring run-off period. Severe weather is a threat at all times of the year for all parts of the province, with the potential for tornadoes, blizzards, windstorms, freezing rain and hail. Wildfires are a potential hazard in all parts of the province, and northern regions are regularly impacted by large forest fires.

Besides these natural hazards, there is also the possibility of human-caused emergencies, such as fires, chemical and hazardous materials accidents, terrorist attacks, infrastructure or utility failures, and transportation accidents.

It’s important to understand both the probability and severity of the hazards in the place you live. Starting with a basic level of ‘all hazard’ emergency planning that can be modified to deal with emergencies as they arise, your understanding of hazards will allow for detailed planning to prepare for those that are priority concerns.

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Prepare At Home

Emergency preparedness is initially a personal responsibility. While governments have resources available to assist as an emergency escalates, individuals are expected to have made plans and take steps to secure the safety of themselves, their families, and any other responsibilities.

It"s often said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that"s certainly the case for emergency preparedness – a little bit of effort is worth a lot of peace-of-mind, and will be an invaluable resource if you are impacted by a disaster. Some basic measures to prepare your home for an emergency include keeping a supply of food, water and medication to last for at least a 72 hour period, along with some basic necessities like a radio, flashlight, and toiletries. The following brochures describe how to prepare your home for an emergency and how to make an emergency kit. View or print these brochures from the Brochures and Downloads page:

	Be Prepared, not scared - Emergency preparedness starts with you			Your emergency preparedness guide
	Family Emergency Handbook - Think Safety			Preparing for the Unexpected
	Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Special Needs			Emergency planning for your family: the 5-step guide
	Your Pets and Emergency Preparedness			www.getprepared.ca

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At Work

Every business and organization can experience a serious incident which can prevent it from continuing normal operations. This this can happen any day at any time. At work, your emergency preparedness should include the development of a Business Continuity Planning (BCP) program to identify your essential services, when they need to be delivered, and how your employees will respond when there is a disruption. Business Continuity Planning is a component of emergency planning that is intended to minimize the impacts of a disruption on business activities.

In the same way that the generally-accepted best practices for emergency planning call for a flexible, adaptable ‘all-hazard’; approach to dealing with disruptions, BCP is designed to help an organization continue providing its basic and most critical functions during a disruption. This requires an understanding of your obligations to those who depend on your services, the exposure to risk your organization is willing to tolerate, and the requirements (such as equipment, data, personnel and facilities) required to deliver the required services. From this, a plan is prepared to identify the tasks, procedures and organization required to work through a disruption. A thorough BCP also includes provisions for returning to a normal state-of-operations after a disruption has occurred.

Whatever the size of your organization or the nature of your business, an investment in BCP will improve your ability to minimize losses, meet obligations, and build confidence from the people who depend on your services. A Guide to Business Continuity Planning provides a summary and general advice for Business Continuity Planning.

	Guide to Business Continuity Planning			Sample business continuity plans and writing guides Disaster Recovery Journal
	Disaster-Resource.com Online magazine			Disaster Recovery Information Exchange (DRIE Central)
	DRI Canada Link to Website

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For Specific Emergencies

• Floods
• Severe Storms
• Tornadoes
• Winter Power Failures
• Wilderness Travel
• Forest Fires
• Bomb Threats
• Chemical Releases
• Pandemics
• Suspicious Packages

FLOODS

In the last half-century, the two most severe emergencies in Manitoba were floods. The Red River floods in 1950 and 1997 resulted in extensive property damage, evacuations, and emergency operations to protect people and communities. Overland flooding is a regular annual occurrence in most of our province, and has resulted in a significant investment in mitigation and planning.

If you live in a flood-prone area, the best way to minimize damage is to mitigate the risk. Remembering that you have primary responsibility for emergency preparedness, consider what you can do to reduce damages and protect your home and property. You should also be making plans to evacuate your home and family if a severe flood develops. While municipal and provincial assistance will be available in such cases, planning ahead is valuable and necessary.

	Prepare for a flood Link to Get Prepare website			Floods - What to do before and after Brochure - PDF 133KB
	Flood Forecast and Conditions Link to Manitoba Water Stewardship website			Avoiding Basement Flooding Link to CMHC website
	Sandbag Dike Construction			Key Facts About Flood Readiness Link to Center for Disease Control and Prevention website
	Flood Information Link to FEMA website

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SEVERE STORMS

Severe weather can develop in any season, and has the potential to close roads and facilities, damage our utilities, and severely damage property. Manitoba has a long record of severe weather, including blizzards, tornadoes, heavy rain, windstorms, hail, and thunderstorms. They can occur at any time, and present a serious threat to life and property.

The best way to prepare for a severe weather event is to make a commitment to emergency preparedness in your home. It is also a good idea to consider the severe weather hazards that might arise with seasonal changes, and to take simple steps around your home to minimize the risk of damage. Monitoring weather conditions and forecasts will give you a chance to prepare for a severe weather emergency before it happens.

	Prepare for a Storm Link to Get Prepared website			Severe Storms Brochure - PDF 1MB
	Environment Canada Weather Conditions and Forecast Link to Environment Canada website			Environment Canada Weather Radio Information
	−Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold −Thunderstorms and Lightning - Are You Ready?

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TORNADOES

Environment Canada reports that Manitoba gets 7-10 tornadoes every year. While tornadoes damage a relatively small area, they present an extremely dangerous threat with strong winds and flying debris.

It's important to make plans ahead of time on where you will shelter in your home, and what basic steps you should take to protect your home and family from harm if there is a tornado threat.

	Prepare for a tornado Link to Get Prepare website			Severe Storms Brochure - PDF 1MB
	Environment Canada Weather Conditions and Forecast Link to Environment Canada website			Environment Canada Weather Radio Information
	Prepare for a tornado Link to Canadian Red Cross website			Emergency Preparedness - Tornados Link to Emergency Management Alberta website
	Tornado Information Link to FEMA website

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WINTER POWER FAILURES

The failure of any utility would result in severe disruptions. While there have been investments to protect these systems and extensive planning to manage the emergency if there was a failure, we've had many examples - such as the Quebec ice storm - of the widespread impact of a utility failure. A power failure in winter is a serious concern in Manitoba, where we regularly experience extended and extreme periods of cold weather.

	Prepare for winter power failures Link to Get Prepare website			Winter Power Failures Brochure - PDF 1.2MB
	Backup Power for Your Home Link to CMHC website			When You Must Leave Your House Due to a Prolonged Winter Power Outage Link to CMHC website
	Wood Heat Safety in an Emergency Link to CMHC website

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WILDERNESS TRAVEL

See the Prepared for the Woods brochure for information on basic precautions that can help protect you on trips into the wilderness.

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FOREST FIRES

Forest fire season in Manitoba is April 1 to Oct over 15, making spring and summer the most conducive times for forest fires. People living in close proximity to forested areas or using such area for recreational purposes need to know how to protect themselves in the event of a forest fire.

Tips for wildland fire protection

• avoid building fires on days of low humidity and high temperature
• observe burning authorizations recommended for your area by Manitoba Conservation
• do not build fires close to homes or other property
• build fires away from trees and dry bushes
• never leave a fire unattended
• always make sure a fire is completely put out before leaving

Advance Preparation

• battery-operated radio
• flashlights
• spare batteries
• first aid kit and essential medication
• emergency food and water
• children's emergency supplies (e.g. formula and diapers)
• review you family's emergency plan and contact information

During Forest Fire Incidents

To protect yourself and your family during fire emergencies:

• be ready to evacuate all family members, including pets
• minimize smoke inhalation in the home by closing all windows and doors. A wet towel along the window and door seams will minimize smoke even further.
• keep the radio on so you can access information about the potential emergency situation
• stay in touch with your local emergency management offices and follow directions provided

If you must evacuate:

• follow closely all instructions provided by local authorities
• make sure you know the safe evacuation routes
• find out the destination reception centers before you leave (listen for media announcements)
• if there is time, shut off the water, gas and electricity

Wildfire Information Link to FEMA website

Manitoba Fire Program Link to Fire Program website

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BOMB THREATS

Bomb threats require immediate action. You should already have a fire evacuation plan for your home and work - this is a good starting point in developing procedures to deal with a bomb threat.

Bomb Threat Link to Get Prepare website

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CHEMICAL RELEASES

Chemical releases and hazardous materials incidents can vary greatly, and may require a wide range of actions if an accidental release occurs. In addition to developing a good level of general preparedness, it's also important to understand some of the potentially hazardous substances near your home or office, and what actions might be required to protect yourself.

Chemical Release Link to Get Prepare website

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PANDEMICS

While all public health emergencies are cause for concern, there has been a particular focus on the threat of a pandemic influenza in recent years. In addition to leading a range of pandemic planning activities, the Government of Manitoba has developed a number of tools to provide the best possible forecast of what a pandemic influenza will be like, and to guide individuals, schools, and businesses as they prepare.

	Preparing for Pandemic Influenza Link to Health Canada website			Preparing for Pandemic Influenza in Manitoba Link to Manitoba Pandemic Influenza website
	Pandemic Influenza Link to Canada Pandemic Influenza website

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SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES

Suspicious Packages Link to Get Prepare website