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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Municipality of Port Hope is committed to a process of emergency planning and response that will help to ensure the safety of its residents in the event of an emergency. The Municipality has an Emergency Plan which details how the Municipality will respond to various emergencies. Once an emergency has been declared by Municipal officials, the Emergency Plan will be implemented. This is done under the leadership of the Municipal Emergency Control Group, a group of senior officials, whose primary task is to safeguard the health, welfare, safety and property of residents and to oversee the return to normal conditions.

Port Hope Fire DepartmentThe Municipality is assisted in its emergency planning efforts by the Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) Committee. This organization consists of representation from the Municipality (senior and elected officials, Police and Fire) and major local industries (Cameco, Zircatec, Esco, Collins Aikman and Chemcraft). Together, members of the CAER Committee have strived to raise the standard of community awareness and emergency management to a high level by acting in an open and responsible manner and by systematically correcting deficiencies.

Every citizen has a responsibility to be prepared for an emergency. Just as the Municipality has a plan and equipment to carry out the plan, every family should have a plan and sufficient supplies to last for a minimum of 72 hours. Here are some suggestions:

  • Food, bottled water, juices, instant drinks.
  • Manual can opener.
  • Warm clothing and footwear.
  • Blankets and/or sleeping bags.
  • Flashlights and batteries.
  • Radio with spare batteries or crank radio.
  • First-aid kit.
  • Candles and matches.
  • Car keys and cash.
  • Toilet paper and other personal items.
  • Medications.
  • Important papers (OHIP cards, SIN cards, personal phone numbers, etc.).
  • Whistle to attract attention if necessary.
  • Playing cards, games, etc.
  • Backpack/duffel bag to hold survival kit items.

During an emergency, every citizen can help! When an emergency occurs, please stay calm. Stay at home. Listen to local radio stations or television stations for current information and instructions. Use the telephone only if there is an urgent need to. If your safety is at risk, you will be advised of the appropriate action to take. This could involve "sheltering in place" or "evacuation". If you are to evacuate, take your "72 hour emergency kit" with you. You will be instructed where to go for emergency shelter.

During an emergency, information will be provided to you by several sources. Typically, local radio and television stations will carry emergency bulletins. In some cases, emergency personnel may broadcast emergency instructions using police vehicles. Here are some important emergency information sources:


Radio Stations
1450 CHUC (AM)
103.1 CFMX (FM)
Star 93.3 (FM)
Country 105.1 (FM - Peterborough)
Wolf 101.5 (FM - Peterborough)
Television Stations
Cable 10 (Cogeco local channel)
CHEX (Peterborough)

Safety Tips

  • Develop a family emergency plan. Review the plan often with all family members.
  • Arrange to help your neighbour and know you neighbours' needs, especially the elderly and those with special needs.
  • Do not store gasoline in your home. Use proper candle holders and never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Do not use charcoal or gas BBQs, camping heating equipment or home generators indoors.
  • If you have to leave your home during an emergency, turn off all appliances and, if appropriate, drain water lines to prevent freezing.
  • If traffic lights are not working, treat all intersections as 4-way stops.
  • Follow instructions provided for evacuation routes and emergency shelters.

Shelter in Place

In the event of an emergency, such as the accidental or intentional release of dangerous goods into the atmosphere (e.g., chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contaminants), persons in the threatened area may be instructed to Shelter-in-Place.

Download the Shelter-in-Place plan here.


Contact Information

Rob Collins, Director of Fire Emergency Services
Municipality of Port Hope
Phone: (905) 885-5323
rcollins@porthope.ca


Other Useful Information Sources

Emergency Management Ontario - www.mpss.jus.gov.on.ca

Chemical Institute of Canada and more information on Process Safety Management - www.cheminst.ca

The Toronto West CAER Committee - www.torontowestcaer.com

Northumberland County Emergency Planning - www.northumberland.ca/departments/county