Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is a national awareness initiative and an opportunity for you to take action to ensure you're prepared to protect yourself, your family and your community during an emergency.

Aligning with Ontario’s Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan and it’s goal to keep Ontario in a state of constant readiness and preparedness, the province’s theme for 2025 is “Plan for every season.”  This theme reflects the unique challenges facing Ontario on a seasonal basis and the opportunities to practice emergency preparedness throughout the year. Ontario’s theme complements the national theme released by Public Safety Canada.

Know the Risks in Your Community 

Throughout Canada, there are many hazards that can impact communities and neighbourhoods. From wildfires, floods, ice storms, and power outages, understanding how you and your community are at risk can help you prepare.

Start by thinking about what type of emergencies could happen where you live. Your geographic location, home type, and household needs can all influence how you should prepare.  

Ask yourself:  

• Do you live in a high-rise, basement suite, or house?  
• Are there children, seniors, or individuals with health or mobility challenges in your household?  
• Do you live alone or with others?  
• Do you know your neighbours or have any local contacts who could support you in an emergency?

All of these factors can help you create an emergency plan tailored to your households' specifics needs, what to include in your emergency kit, and how to respond when an emergency or disaster occurs.  

Put Together an Emergency Plan 

Having an emergency plan in place can save time and stress in an emergency. A solid emergency plan should include important details such as:  

• Health card and passport numbers 
• Insurance information
• Emergency contact numbers
• A designated family meeting spot  

Tip: Keep a printed copy of your emergency plan at home, in your car, and saved on your phone or tablet. It’s recommended to review and update your plan at least once a year.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit prepared in advance helps save time during emergencies and disasters. Before purchasing any items, start by checking what you already have at home.

Some essential items your kit should include:  

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Can opener
• Cell phone with charger or battery pack
• A copy of your emergency plan
• Essential medications and items for babies and pets
• Flashlight and batteries
• Copies of ID, passport, and insurance 

Connect with your Neighbours and Community

In an emergency situation, neighbours are often the first people we can turn to, and the first people who may turn to us. Taking the time to get to know your neighbours and understand how you can support each other in the event of an emergency or disaster is an important step for preparedness and building a more connected community.

Community support goes both ways, whether it’s sharing resources, checking in during a power outage, or helping someone evacuate their home, strong neighbourly connections can make a big difference and serve as a trusted line of support.

Creating a sense of community and knowing where services and resources are located can help increase our resiliency. 

Using Technology During a Disaster

We rely on technology more and more to keep in touch with our family, friends, and colleagues with a click of a button. But what happens in the event of a major emergency? Suddenly these tools can become vital in helping you and your family deal get in touch and stay informed. So here are some tips on the use of technology in an emergency:

• If possible, use non-voice channels like text messaging, email or social media. These use less bandwidth than voice communications and may work even when phone service doesn't
• If you must use a phone, keep your conversation brief and convey only vital information to emergency personnel and/or family. This will also conserve your phone's battery
• Unable to complete a call? Wait 10 seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion
• Keep a charger for your mobile device in your emergency kit. Consider getting a solar-powered, crank, or vehicle phone charger. If you don't have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card in your emergency kit
• Keep your contacts up to date on your phone, email, and other channels. This will make it easier to reach important contacts, such as friends, family, neighbours, child's school, or insurance agent
• If you have a smartphone, save your safe meeting location(s) on its mapping application
• Conserve your smartphone's battery by reducing the screen's brightness, placing your phone in airplane mode, and closing apps you are not using. You never know how long a power outage will last!

Remember, in an emergency or to save a life, call 9-1-1 for help. You cannot currently text 9-1-1. If you are not experiencing an emergency, do not call 9-1-1. If your area offers 3-1-1 service or another information system, call that number for non-emergencies.