Residents should be prepared for an emergency

With the recent earthquake, subsequent tsunami and now potential nuclear meltdown in Japan, it’s clear the effects of a natural disaster can be beyond catastrophic.

From volcanic eruptions in Iceland, severe flooding and cyclones in Australia, and to massive earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and New Zealand, the past 12 months will certainly be remembered for the most extreme weather patterns and natural disasters to take place within our lifetime.

All this begs the question: Are we prepared if disaster were to strike in the foothills?

The damage resulting from the substantial flooding in 2005 is still fresh in people’s minds and local municipalities have worked to ensure they are prepared.

Each municipality in the region, including Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, and the MD of Foothills, has a disaster services department responsible for responding to emergency situations.

In the event of a disaster, the department opens a reception centre where residents who are stranded or are in need of medical care can seek help. In Okotoks, the reception centre is located at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.

Regardless, all civilians should learn to fend for themselves during an emergency situation, said Lyn Michaud, president of Foothills Search and Rescue.

While Michaud described the Southern Foothills region as a “fairly stable place,” he added Okotoks is still susceptible to massive storms, extreme flooding, as well as industrial accidents or gas leaks.

“People should always be prepared whether they’re on the road or in their home,” Michaud said.

Michaud cited the recent snowstorm at the beginning of February that left hundreds of motorists stranded on the TransCanada highway.

“People were not prepared and were blaming police and others for their lack of preparedness,” he said. “You should be prepared when you travel, and you should have food stocks and a way of staying warm if the gas goes off or electricity shuts off. But most people don’t think of that.”

While police do try to help everyone in need during emergency situations, Michaud said even their resources are limited in a major disaster.

Michaud said he believes the Towns could practice emergency drills and mock disasters more often to be better prepared for when a real disaster occurs. The unpredictable nature of an emergency means funding and practice are often pushed to the backburner, he said.

On Jan. 26 at 10 a.m., thousands of people in British Columbia practiced their “drop, cover and hold on” strategy as they participated in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill in Canadian history.

“In Alberta, a lot of towns are unwilling to spend the time and money on something that may or may not occur,” said Michaud. “It’s the same concept as insuring your house. How much do you put on it? Unfortunately there is no teeth in the legislation (to enforce more practice drills). It’s more often just lip service.”

Ken Thevenot, fire chief and deputy director of disaster management for the Town of Okotoks, said he believes there are enough practice drills currently in place to prepare Town staff for natural disasters and emergency situations.

“We often have training with regards to early warning systems, basic disaster management, and operating an emergency operating centre, so there is regular training,” Thevenot said.

Once a year, the Town of Okotoks holds mock tabletop exercises where Town staff members are taught how to proceed in the event of a disaster, Thevenot said. The last mock drill was held May 2010.

Past mock drills have focused on what to do in flooding situations, Thevenot said, as that has been a common problem in recent years. However, he added the Town is looking into emergency training on ice storms and train derailments in the future, as those are also issues this region has faced.

The Government of Canada’s Get Prepared 72 Hours campaign recommended Canadians assemble a basic emergency kit to help them become self-sufficient during large-scale emergencies.

As emergencies do, by definition, occur without warning, it is important to assemble a kit well stocked and easily accessible.

The most important items to include in a disaster kit are water and food.

The suggested amount is at least two litres of water for each person in a household per day. The campaign also recommended keeping water in several small bottles so they are easier to carry.

Non-perishable food items in an emergency kit should be replaced at least once a year, the campaign recommended. Potential items to include are granola bars, trail mix, dehydrated fruit, crackers, cereal and canned goods, like tuna.

Other basic items to include in an emergency kit are a flashlight and batteries, battery-operated or wind-up radio with extra batteries, blankets, first-aid kit, extra keys for your car and house, and a manual can opener.

If you require prescription medication, consider adding extra medication to the kit to last at least a week. If you have an infant in your household, adding extra formula to your kit is also recommended.

Cash in smaller bills, or traveler’s cheques, is a valuable addition to an emergency kit, as well as change that could be used at a payphone.

To prepare for emergency situations lasting longer than 72 hours, several additional items could come in handy. These include candles, matches, a change of clothing and footwear, a sleeping bag, toiletries, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, utensils, garbage bags, water purifying tablets, a whistle and duct tape.

Some basic tools, like a hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdriver or pocketknife, as well as a small fuel-operated stove and fuel could also prove to be useful in a disaster situation.

Suddenly this bag is getting awfully heavy. A solution? The emergency preparedness campaign recommends a bag with wheels to help make your kit easy to transport.

For more information on putting together an emergency kit, visit www.getprepared.gc.ca

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