Emergency Planning

The City of Dryden Emergency Plan prepares our community in many ways, including:

• Designating a Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC), an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and an alternate EOC
• Forming a Community Emergency Management Program Committee
• Publishing an approved Community Emergency Plan
• Developing appropriate community emergency response capability
• Developing and implementing public awareness and education programs about public safety and public preparedness for emergencies
• Identifying individuals to act as community emergency information staff

The City's Emergency Plan also requires annual training and exercises for:

• Emergency operations control group
• Employees of the City
• Other people involved in delivering the necessary services and procedures relates to emergency response and recovery activities

An annual review of the community emergency management program is also required according to the Emergency Plan.

 Emergency Notification

The City of Dryden uses Voyent Alert, a trusted Emergency Notification Messaging Service, to keep our community informed during emergencies. This service allows us to send real-time alerts with important information and instructions—delivered directly to you by text message, phone call, email, or through the Voyent Alert mobile app.

Whether it’s a severe weather warning, road closure, or other critical event, Voyent Alert ensures you receive timely and accurate updates—all at the push of a button.

Registering is free and easy. To sign up and start receiving notifications, visit Voyent Alert.

Stay safe. Stay connected.

 What Should You Do?

 If you are being told to evacuate, don't forget:

• Money
• Identification
• Prescription drugs
• Change of clothing
• Snacks/food
• Blanket
• Personal toiletry items
• Infant formula and other items for a baby, if needed

If you are being told to shelter in place:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors
• Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing in air from outside
• Close the fireplace damper
• Get your emergency kit and make sure the radio is working
• Go to an interior room that's above ground level (if possible, one without windows). In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed
• Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room
• Continue to monitor your radio or television until you are told all is safe or are advised to evacuate

Do not:

• Panic
• Attempt to locate pets before leaving
• Attempt to travel to school or place of employment to locate family
• Speed or violate traffic rules
• Attempt to drive to the scene of the emergency

Be Prepared

Each school, institution, factory, office and household is responsible for its own building evacuation plan. Please make a plan and know your procedures. You can use this tool to help create your own Emergency Plan.

If you have any questions on procedures, contact the Fire Chief/Community Emergency Management Coordinator at 807-223-1178.

Emergency Preparedness Week is Canada-wide initiative that increases awareness of individual and family preparedness.

The City of Dryden is prepared to act in the case of a community-wide disaster or emergency, but residents need to be ready too.

Do you have a 72-hour emergency kit? Families need to be ready to leave their home or shelter suddenly during a wide-scale emergency. A 72-hour emergency kit should have everything you and your family would need to be safe and take care of yourselves for at least three days (72 hours) immediately following an emergency.

Pack the contents of your kit in an easy-to-carry bag or a case on wheels. You should also store your kit in a place that is easy to reach, making sure that everyone in the household knows where it is. Check and refresh your kit twice a year (when the clocks shift for daylight savings time is an easy way to remember), including checking all expiry dates and replacing food and water with a fresh supply. You should also check batteries and replace them as needed.

Don't forget that your water supply should include what you would drink as well as what you might need for food preparation, hygiene and dishwashing.

Check out our list of important items to add to your 72-hour emergency kit.

Must-haves

• Food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for 3 days)
• Manual can opener
• Bottled water (4 litres per person for each day)
• Medication(s)
• Flashlight
• Radio (crank or battery-run)
• Extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
• Extra car keys and cash
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
• Garbage bags

Special Items

• Items for babies and small children--diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, comfort items
• Prescription medication
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Pet food and supplies
• Any other items specific to your family's needs

Evacuation Supplies

In some cases, you may be asked to evacuate your home or shelter suddenly. Here are some items to prepare you for an evacuation:

• Clothes, shoes
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Personal items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, other toiletries)
• Playing cards, travel games, other activities for children