Evacuation & Shelter In Place orders

Evacuations

Some emergency situations, such as a hazardous materials incident, will require you to evacuate the area so you are removed from danger. If you are advised by local authorities to evacuate, listen carefully to the instructions provided to make sure the evacuation order applies to you.

A decision to evacuate is made to save lives - do not ignore it!

Take your Grab and Go Bag and follow any additional instructions provided by emergency responders. Remember to take your pets with you!

Evacuation routes are not formally identified because each emergency situation and the response required is unique. The safest route will be identified by emergency responders during the emergency and will depend on the type of incident, location, road capacity, weather, time of day, and other pertinent factors. For your safety, follow the evacuation route advised by the emergency officials. Don’t take shortcuts because a shortcut may put you in the path of danger.

Preparing to evacuate

A grab-and-go bag is a small emergency kit that's easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. It's a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace and vehicle.

Include:

• Duffle bag or backpack for kit
• Clothing and footwear
• Phone chargers
• Prescription drugs (check dates/rotate supply), spare glasses
• ID/photos of family members
• Personal care items
• Hand sanitizer, face masks
• Non-perishable healthy snacks
• Playing cards, games, iPod, etc.
• Pet bowl, leash, food, toys, medications, and supplies
• Baby supplies, diapers, formula
• Feminine hygiene products
• Blankets, sleeping bags
• Radio

Sheltering-in-place

Sheltering-in-place (SIP) is the practice of going or remaining safely indoors during an outdoor release of a hazardous substance.

Sheltering-in-place has been shown to be the most effective response during the first few hours of a substance release where the public would be at a higher risk outdoors. The goal of sheltering-in-place is to reduce the movement of air into and out of a building until either the hazard has passed or other emergency actions can be taken.

A decision to evacuate is made to save lives - do not ignore it!

Preparing for a shelter-in-place emergency:

• Pre-select an interior room(s) with the least windows or vents: storage rooms or large closets, hallways or bathrooms.
• Avoid rooms with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes.
• Room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit down.
• Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms.
• Ideally, the room should have an adjoining bathroom. For example, master bedroom with en-suite or office with adjoining washroom.

During a shelter-in-place emergency:

• Go inside immediately ensuring to bring pets in as well.
• Close all doors and windows.
• Shut down furnace, air conditioners, and exhaust fans and vents.
• Close fireplace dampers.
• Retrieve your Shelter-in-Place Kit once inside the shelter-in-place room(s).
• Seal any doors, windows, vents with plastic sheeting and tape.
• Place wet towels at the base of the door(s).
• Monitor media for updates (e.g. radio, cell phones, etc.)
• Go to your pre-designated shelter-in-place room.
• Remain in the pre-designated room until ALL CLEAR has been given by emergency officials.
• If you MUST travel outside, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel.

Other important steps to take:

• Ensure a hard-wired telephone/landline or cellphone is
  in the room you selected.
• Consider a laptop or TV for information updates.
• Conduct a shelter-in-place drill with those living in the residence twice a year.
• Check the supplies of the Shelter-in-Place Kit every six months.