• Infectious disease
• Hazardous materials - fixed site or in transport
• Earthquakes/tremors
• Flood
• Cyber attack
• Civil disorder
• Extreme heat/cold
• Critical infrastructure failure
• Transportation (road, rail, air, marine, etc)
• Fires/explosion
• Winter weather

Other potential risks include human health emergency, snowstorm or blizzard, civil disorder, energy supply emergency, critical infrastructure failure, tornado, extreme temperature, and oil or natural gas emergency.

Cornwall has experienced several emergencies in recent memory. Consider the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the 1998 ice storm.

So, what should you and your family do? Prepare now – here is how.

Be aware of the risks in your community (Cornwall’s hazards are listed above). Knowing about the risks can help you plan for them. Do you have the right insurance coverage for a flood or an earthquake? How would your family respond to this type of incident?

Next, learn about your children’s school(s) or daycare(s) evacuation and emergency plans. Find out about the emergency plan at your workplace. What would your role be in case of emergency?

Ask questions. Be informed.

Each family member needs a 72-hour emergency kit. Supplies will help you survive an emergency, and if necessary, make you self-sufficient for three days or longer. Your kit should be portable, so put it in an easy-to-carry duffel bag or container.

Here’s a sample of what you should pack in your emergency kit:

• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio and batteries
• First aid kit
• Candles and matches or lighter
• Documents: identification, insurance policy, passport, health and benefit cards, family emergency plan
• Food and bottled water – enough for 72 hours
• Clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Toilet paper, hygiene items
• Medication
• Whistle
• Playing cards/games

• makes decisions and coordinates action
• assesses events as they occur
• maintains operations throughout the community

Members of the Municipal Emergency Control Group vary, but generally include:

• Mayor
• Chief Administration Officer
• Community Emergency Management Coordinator
• Chief of Cornwall Community Police Services
• Chief of Cornwall Fire Services
• Chief of Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services
• Emergency Information Officer
• City Clerk
• Medical Officer of Health
• Infrastructure and Municipal Works General Manager
• Social and Housing Services Manager
• Treasurer

During an emergency, you may have no electrical power or be asked to evacuate. An emergency kit contains essential items you and your family need to survive on your own for at least 72 hours.

Keep a kit at home, work and in your car. Your kit should be easy to carry and portable such as a knapsack or suitcase.
Check the contents twice a year to ensure the freshness of food and water, and refresh items if needed.

Kit Essentials:

• Non-perishable food
• Prescription medication
• Manual can opener
• Bottled water (4L per person, per day)
• Flashlight, glow stick
• Radio (w/batteries) or crank radio
• First-aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
• Clothing, footwear, blankets or sleeping bags
• Moist towelettes, hand sanitizers and
• garbage bags for personal sanitation
• Extra keys and cash
• Copies of important papers (identification, insurance)

Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place:

An evacuation may be ordered when there is a significant threat. Other times, it may be safer to remain inside (shelter-in-place). These orders are typically broadcast through TV, radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting.

Evacuation
• Evacuate only when ordered by emergency officials and if safety permits, take your pets.
• Take your family emergency kit with you and head to your family meeting place or to a designated reception centre.

Shelter-in-Place
• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing air in from the outside.

Family Emergency Plan
• Create a family emergency plan and discuss potential emergency situations ahead of time to reduce fear and anxiety.
• Review your plan yearly and practice going to your meeting places.

Meeting Places
Identify two meeting places in case you have to leave your home or can’t return home right away:
• Near your home.
• Outside of your neighbourhood.

To develop your own Emergency Preparedness Action Plan visit ontario.ca/beprepared

Learn how to stay safe in an emergency: Tools and Resources 

Watch our Youtube channel on how to make a 72-hour emergency kit!