Do you know what to do in case of an emergency? The Township of Ramara has a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan that details how the municipality will respond during such situations. Every second counts in an emergency, so it's important to be prepared and ready to act quickly to protect yourself and your family during an emergency.
Subscribe below to this page to receive up to date information on how to prepare yourself for a variety of events during each season of the year.
Be Prepared
Ramara is a large geographical area surrounded by two large lakes and varying weather conditions. Residents should be aware of these risks and prepare for them. It is important to get ready for severe storms, power outages, earthquakes, and floods.
In an emergency, you may need to leave your home, school, or workplace, or you might need to stay where you are. Understanding when to take these actions is crucial since disasters can disrupt basic services like water, gas, electricity, and communications.
Being ready as individuals and families is key during emergencies, especially when help from emergency services and the government may be slow. Residents should plan to be self-sufficient for at least three days (72 hours) to ensure their safety and well-being during these events.
Take the time to be prepared!
Creating your Emergency Plan
Step 1. Know the Risks
Step 2. Make a Plan
Step 3. Get an emergency kit
Be Prepared for Flooding
In response to the flooding, the Township of Ramara is providing sand and sandbags at six designated self-serve locations. Learn more about how the Township is responding to flooding and the ways you can protect your house, family, friends and belongings.
Learn more about the sand and sandbags self-serve locations
| Prepare Your Home |
- Extend downspouts at least 2 metres from your home to move water away from the building.
- Shovel snow at least 1 to 1.5 metres away from your home’s foundation.
- Put weather protection sealant around basement windows and ground-level doors.
- Keep gutters and nearby storm drains clear of debris and remove debris from water drainage systems such as weeping tile, culverts and ditches.
- Check your sump pump, backup pump and power supply. Ensure they are all in good working order and not connected in the sanitary sewer system.
- Raise large appliances in the basement above potential water level.
- Find your floor drain and make sure nothing is covering it. For example - boxes, furniture or carpet.
- Learn how to turn off utilities such as electricity and gas in your residence.
- Determine if there are any special precautions required to safeguard electrical, natural gas, fuel oil or propane heating.
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| Financial Preparedness |
- Speak to an insurance agent about your specific needs.
- Know your insurance policy. Make sure your home, vehicle, business and belongings are protected.
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| Protect Your Important Items |
- Collect any important documents such as passports, birth certificates, banking information, and insurance papers and store them safely above ground level.
- Protect your valuables in waterproof containers. Place them above potential water levels.
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| Safeguard Livestock |
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Set up a plan for your livestock ahead of time.
- Ensure that your animals have access to high areas in case of flooding, as well as food and clean water.
- If your property does not have high areas, contact neighbours or surrounding farms to discuss having your animals stay there.
- Make an emergency plan for your animals:
- Create a contact list of emergency phones numbers including your employees, neighbours, veterinarian and transportation resources.
- Create a current list of all animals
- Handling equipment.
- Food, water and emergency supplies.
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| Have a Plan for Your Pet |
- Have an evacuation plan for your pet - know a safe place where you can take your pets if a flood occurs.
- Develop a buddy system - plan with neighbours, friends or relatives to make sure someone is available to care for your evacuate your pets it you are unable to do so.
- Build an emergency kit for your pet that includes:
- Food
- Water
- Medicine
- First Aid Kit
- Collar with ID tag and harness or leash
- Travelling bag, crate or sturdy carrier.
- Grooming items
- Sanitation needs
- A picture of you are your pet.
- Familiar items - toys, treats, etc.
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Being Prepared this Winter
Ice Safety
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When you are heading out on the ice, always remember to:
- Check ice conditions
- Plan ahead
- Tell someone where you are going and the expected time of your return
- Always have two or more people with you - don't go out alone
- Wear a buoyant suit or life jacket
- Avoid unknown territory
Always use extreme caution! If you don't know - don't go
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Protect your home
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Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
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- Install certified carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup in hallways and outside of sleeping areas
- If you have fuel burning appliances such as stoves or fireplaces, make sure they are well maintained and working properly
- Clean your chimney and flues
- Never use a fuel-burning generator or fuel-burning cooking equipment such as BBQs or camping stoves inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or shed, or under a covered area outside the house (such as under an awning or gazebo)
- Operate portable generators at least 6 metres (20 feet) from all homes or buildings. Direct the exhaust away from open windows and doors. Close all windows and doors closest to or downwind from the generator
- If you use your vehicle to charge electronics or warm up, do not idle your vehicle in a garage, even with the garage door open
- Ensure proper ventilation if using fuel-burning appliances
- Learn more about carbon monoxide and preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
Information copied from the Government of Canada - Winter Storms - Be prepared website
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72-hour Emergency Kit
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The following list includes essential items to have in your emergency kit:
- food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days) and a manual can opener
- bottled or bagged water (4 litres per person for each day) and backup water purification tablets
- medication(s)
- toilet paper and other personal items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- personal protective equipment (PPE) such as medical masks and respirators
- back up chargers and power banks for cell phone or mobile device
- cash in small bills
- portable light source such as a flashlight, headlamp or glow stick
- radio (crank or battery-run)
- extra batteries
- first-aid kit
- candles and matches/lighter
- hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
- important papers such as a copy of your emergency plan, identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.
- extra car and house keys
- whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
- zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
- garbage bags and duct tape
Additional considerations
The following list includes additional items you may require to meet your household’s unique needs:
- items for babies and small children such as diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, etc.
- comfort and sentimental items such as photos of loved ones, irreplaceable items, etc.
- prescription medication
- medical supplies, equipment and copies of care/support plans including contact information for doctors or specialists
- extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (if applicable)
- pet supplies (learn more on how to keep pets safe in an emergency)
- any other items specific to your household’s needs
Learn more on how you can be prepared in an emergency and additional items you may need to think about for your three day (72-hour) emergency kit.
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Winter Storm
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A major winter storm can last for days and make travel difficult. It is important to ensure there are enough supplies at home until conditions improve.
- Prepare your emergency kit. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away.
- Make a household emergency plan. Consider the specific needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs.
- Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning in the event of a power outage.
- If you must travel during winter weather, take safety precautions and plan your trip.
- Have a plan to shelter pets and farm animals.
- Check on older adult relatives and neighbours to ensure they have sufficient supplies when a winter storm is expected. They may not be able to safely go outside to shop and may require food, medications, and other supplies to prepare.
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Winter Travel
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- Be ready to change or cancel your travel plans if hazardous travel conditions are expected.
- Get a vehicle emergency kit including winter supplies.
- Ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions, such as having winter tires, a full tank of gas and plenty of windshield washer fluid.
- Before you start driving, make sure to remove all the snow from your vehicle, including the hood, roof, windows and lights. Ensure your windows are clear of frost.
- If visibility becomes poor, turn on your headlights to make sure you vehicle is easier to be seen.
- Stay connected to changing road conditions by visiting Ontario 511.
- Sign up to receive road closure, weather and other important alerts at Alertable.
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Emergency Management Program
Emergency management consists of developing a plan and strategy to help guide you through an emergency. This includes:
- preparedness
- response
- recovery
- mitigation
View Ramara's Emergency Response Plan
Emergency Alerts and Communication - Stay Connected
Staying connected during an emergency is important. You can use radio, television, trusted websites, and official social media channels to get updates. If the power goes out and your phone service stops working, use a battery-operated or hand-crank radio.
You can ask for help from family and friends. However, if you are hurt or in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 right away.
Here are some tips to help you stay informed during an emergency:
| Personal Networks |
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Reach out to your family and friends for support. Consider the groups you belong to, like sports teams and community organizations. Keep your Emergency Phone Contacts organized and update your list often in your emergency plan.
During an emergency, you can update your social media status to let people know you are safe. For example, Facebook allows you to mark yourself as “safe” in emergencies.
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| What 3 Words |
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What3words is a free app that helps you find your location while traveling. It gives each 3-meter square on Earth a unique three-word address.
What3words divides the world into 3m x 3m squares. Each square gets a unique name made of three random words. For example, a square could be called "table, chair, spoon."
What3words can help you:
- Navigate your surroundings
- Discover hidden places
- Plan your trips
- Arrange meet-ups
- Get help from emergency services
Visit website
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| Alertable |
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Subscribe to Ramara’s Community Information System that is also integrated into Canada’s Alert Ready System. Our Community Information System (CIS) provides alerts about emergencies and other important Township and community news directly to all your devices including e-mail, home phone, cell phone and even fax. Ramara CIS uses the Alertable system to allow for multiple means of communication for both Emergency Alerts and relaying Township and Community information.
Sign up today!
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| Social Media |
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| Weather Warnings |
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