Emergency Planning

Emergency Preparedness Week May 4th to 10th, 2008

Durham Region is recognizing the Canadian National Emergency Preparedness Week by inviting the public to visit displays in the Upper Galleria of the Regional Municipality of Durham Headquarters, at 605 Rossland Rd. E. in Whitby this week. Information will be provided on what you should do to prepare you and your family for an emergency situation. Throughout the year the Durham Emergency Management Office hosts events providing information on what to do should a natural or man-made emergency situation occur.

You may contact DEMO office through their web site at www.region.durham.on.ca/demo or by calling DEMO at 905-430-2792.

DEMO staff partner with other groups and agencies in the Region to provide us with coordinated plan for response should it be needed. Some partners include other Regional Departments (Fire, EMS, Health, Social Services and the Works Department), York Region, City of Toronto, Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, The Conservation Authority, the School Boards (DDSB & DCSB), Lakeridge Health, Ontario Power Generation, Durham College, Go Transit, Durham Region Transit. ADRA and OVERT. I am sure some have been missed.

Partnerships are also formed with the private sector as well as everyone could be affected should a disaster strike.

In the past I have pointed you to a web site which will provide you with an educational overview of what should we do as the general public to prepare ouselves for the first 72 hours should a disaster strike.

The web site is http://getprepared.gc.ca/index_e.asp

Please check this site out for information on how to identify the risks in your neighbourhood and how to make a plan to prepare your family so you will know what to do and how, should a disaster strike. Included on this site is a video to show you how to prepare.

Mother's Day is this weekend. Why not buy your mother something useful for her Emergency Kit or help her fill in the plan which you can download off this site, as an unusual and much needed gift?

We will all be affected one way or anther should a disaster strike. Why not minimize the impact on ourselves and loved ones?

Spring is finally here

Spring

Spring is finally here or is it really summer we are already into to?

I must apologize for my absence in not writing. I think I was suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is a winter depression which affects millions of people every winter from September to April. It is due to the shorter hours of daylight and lack of sunlight in winter.

Well the winter appears to be finally over with our almost record breaking amounts of snow fall, risky driving conditions, numerous car accidents attributed to the driving conditions as a result of the snow either on the road and yet to be cleared or white out conditions while driving behind us.

In some areas on the north sides of roads and in the shade of trees or buildings you may still see the remnants of our snow accumulation but that is about it. Now what we are still recovering from is the damage to our roads which also affects our driving. I know of at least two people who damaged their cars from the same pot hole on Victoria Street between Whitby
and Ajax. Most of the potholes in the past week have been filled but you still encounter them in the private parking lots of some of the local businesses in Durham.

I went to the grocery store the other day and left by the back entrance to the lot and almost had my car fall into one of their holes yet to be filled in. Another person on foot was trying to maneuver a child being pulled in a wagon around the numerous pot holes at this entrance. This is not the only commercial lot yet to be looked after in the area. At least two I encountered this past week.

Try driving on the 401 at the moment with the filling in of pot holes and cracks made in the surface as a result of our winters, more challenges occur and safe driving habits must be enforced.

Another area we are always encountering after much snow has fallen from our winters is the fast melt, resulting in the eroding of roads even further and causing collapse in some cases. Do you remember recently we have heard of a few of these in the past month in Ontario?

Also this past winter due to the amount of snow on roofs we heard of roof collapses. Now what do we have to prepare ourselves for? Well we need to still worry about the high levels of water and the speed with which it flows in our creeks and rivers.

Our neighbour just to the east of us, Bellville recently declared a state of Emergency due to the flooding in their community. Next I will speak about what we should do when this happens to us and there is little to stop it from happening here. I tried to post a picture taken from my in-laws backyard in Oshawa.

They have a creek running through it which is beautiful but at times has caused them some concern. Unfortunately I was unable to post it. In past years this creek has overflowed in their backyard and that of the neigbours. I will speak about the causes and effects of flooding next time.

Sprinklers

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Finally it is starting to register with builders, not only commercial buildings can benefit from the installation of sprinkler systems but homes can too. Recently it was reported in the Toronto Star on February 16^th, 2008 a local developer in Port Perry did just that. He had a sprinkler system installed into a high rise condominium building in Port Perry on the recommendation of the local Fire Department. It cost an additional $5,000.00 per unit which may seem like a lot but it really isn’t when you factor in the safety feature it offers.

            Many people buying these units could be people like me looking for a one floor residence as they get older. It is not just the stairs they can not handle any more, but it is also their hearing which starts to deteriorate. Now I am speaking about myself. I am sure others in my age bracket are better preserved. Think of the wake up call you will get if there is a fire in your unit. You will not only hopefully have the smoke alarm going off, but you will be rained on. At least you will be able to safely leave your unit before harm comes your way. Your possession, although precious, can be replaced but your life can not. The Fire Department may damage your possessions anyway upon arrival with their rather large powerful hoses emitting the water pressure they discharge into your home.

            Recently there have been more deaths reported by Fire in the GTA. Bill Stewart of the Toronto Fire Department reported to the Toronto Star about several recently when interviewed. In one fire 6 people died trapped in a stairwell trying to leave. He is an advocate for improvements of the building codes and bylaws. I am sure he is proud of the direction buildings are going in, should Port Perry’s project be an indication of change. Reported in the same article it was quoted 920 people died in residential fires from 1997 to 2006. Since 1995, 89 of these people lived in high rises in

Toronto

.

            

Vancouver

has required sprinklers in all new residential construction since 1990. Only last month has Premier Dalton McGuinty said

Ontario

may soon implement similar legislation. Hopefully this will come to fruition in short order. It is heart breaking to hear of the losses incurred from these preventable fires. We need to be more diligent.

            Recently I drove past the Fire Station on

Victoria Street

in

Whitby

where the Fire Department had a sign up reminding all residents with basement apartments to call them and have them checked out to see if they comply with all the rules and regulations regarding fire safety. Landlords may consider this annoying and invasive but it is necessary. Remember the saying “Better safe than Sorry”. Do you really want to be sorry if a fire, which could have been prevented through these safety measures, started in your home’s basement apartment incurring not only loss of property but possibly loss of life? Remember the fire could spread into your quarters as well. Do you want to take this risk?

Please check with your local Fire Department regarding what you should be doing to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Many offer advice and inspections for free.

            

Loss And Grieving

I must apologize for my absence. Recently I lost two close family members who were both in their 82nd year. Their medical status required both receive Nursing Homes care 24/7. Even so their death was unexpected. We are not privy to the date we will die. My relatives lived a rich and full life and were ready for the next stage.

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007 there was a fire in a town home in Scarborough taking the lives of two children and their mother. Three children survived the fire. The loss to the three remaining children will be tremendous as they will have to adjust to their new set of circumstances and manage their loss. My loss is not the same as theirs since mine is without regrets. These children may live with regrets for the rest of their lives. The loss of their mother creates a void in their life.

This loss could have been prevented. This young woman in her 30’s died with her daughter aged 8 and a son aged 4. The surviving children are a daughter aged 16 and sons aged 12 and 5. I can not imagine the loss.

I have two children both adults, but what I want for them is a rich full life much like the relatives I recently lost. Life is precious and should not be taken for granted.

Should there have been operating smoke alarms these losses may have been prevented. Why take the risk? Apparently the smoke alarms had been removed.

Removal of the smoke alarms puts your family at risk. I know they are annoying, sometimes going off while cooking and have showers where steam is present but this is something which should be tolerated because of the benefits gained by keeping them in place. Sometimes the landlord should be contacted about moving them should this continues to disrupt your family life but under no circumstances should they be removed.

As of March 3, 2006, the Ontario Fire Code requires a smoke alarm that meets CAN/ULC-S531 between each sleeping area and the remainder of the apartment. Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

Non-compliance with the new requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.

Smoke alarms are inexpensive now but so effective in saving lives. Please remind yourself about the possibility of loss of loved ones without them in your homes. They should be tested regularly There is no excuse. Having one in may not save your worldly possessions but they can be replaced but a human life cannot. Please look at this web site for stories of survivors of fire because the smoke alarm went off and alerted the family in time to vacate the premises before they were overtaken by fire.

http://www.firesafetycouncil.com/english/pubsafet/safact.htm

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

At this time of the year this is a threat to all families. Currently our houses are expected to be airtight, not allowing out any of the expensive heat we have paid for. This can cause us harm.

What about when the power goes out and we lose our heat? We might do what this family did which cost them their lives and that was to use a generator to provide them with electricity for their electric heater to keep their family warm.

Never use a generator indoors.The generator is powered usually by gas or oil which if used indoors can cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. More than likely you would fall asleep and never wake up. Generators are to be kept outdoors with a cord plugged into them brought indoors. More than likely this family was worried about leaving open a gap for the cord and wasting their precious heat.

Our lives are far more precious than heat loss.

Please read the article below which happened just recently and often happens somewhere annually in North America. "Mom, girl, neighbor die of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning Wednesday, November 21st 2007, 4:16 PM A 5-year-old, her mother and a neighbor died Tuesday of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in a condemned house warmed with generators and space heaters, officials said. Tanishia Armstrong, 25, her daughter, Talani Johnson, and their downstairs neighbor, Ricardo Pearce, 27, went to sleep Monday night and never woke up. " "

What Is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a flammable, colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuel.

Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Fifteen hundred people die annually in the country due to accidental carbon monoxide exposure, and additional 10,000 seek medical attention.

How Does CO Enter The Home? Carbon monoxide can escape from any fuel-burning appliance, furnace, water heater, fireplace, woodstove, or space heater. Any of these things can be very dangerous: A faulty furnace, maybe from mechanical failure A clogged fireplace from a bird's nest resting on top Water heaters, perhaps damaged in a flood A gas stove in your kitchen A faulty space heater A gas dryer that's not properly installed A grill used inside a garage during winter Many newer homes are built air-tight cutting down on the supply of fresh air to your furnace creating an oxygen starved flame. Tight closing replacement windows and doors, and additional insulation can cause similar problems in older homes.

Carbon monoxide can spill from vent connections in poorly maintained or blocked chimneys. If the flue liner is cracked or deteriorated, CO can seep through the liner and into the house reaching dangerous levels. If a nest or other materials restrict or block the flue CO can leak into the house. Improperly sized flues connected to new high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters can contribute to CO leakage.

Some new furnaces and water heaters are installed using the existing chimneys which may be the wrong size to allow the furnace to vent properly. Warming up vehicles in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened, can allow concentrated amounts of CO to enter your home.

A car in parked in a garage attached to the house, which in the Region of Durham is the norm, could potentially cause a real problem for those who start them long before they get in them to warm up the car in winter. Wind can also blow fumes back into the garage, and temperature differences between the indoors and outside can move CO back into your house or garage In the neighbourhood I live in the wind can be an issue.

If you are suffering from chronic flu-like symptoms, see your doctor and ask if it could be a low-level CO poisoning. If you have a CO detector, and it alarms, open windows and ventilate your home with fresh air, have your heating system checked by a professional.

If your alarm sounds and you are feeling drowsy or dizzy, leave the house and call 911 from your neighbors' home. You may need medical attention for CO poisoning. CAUTION: Many of our Carbon Dioxide Detectors are connected to our electrical supply with a back up battery.

Annually replace the batteries in your Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors and check monthly to make sure they work. In 1997 a family lost two of its members to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Toronto. Because of this tragedy Toronto conducted a study into this issue which resulted in the recommendation of all family homes being equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. I wanted to point out to you regardless of where you are without these safeguards in place to detect the poison in the air we are all vulnerable. We do not have to leave ourselves exposed to the risk.

Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan

On Wednesday, November 28^th, 2007 an employee of McDonald’s Restaurant in Oshawa assisted a female customer who had collapsed because of a stroke. I am very proud of this person as she is also a student of mine in the Developmental Service Worker Program at Trillium College. Both are located in the Oshawa Mall.

We want people like her to be around when we vulnerable and need assistance.

There are all types of Emergency Situations in life where without the assistance of perfect strangers we may not survive. This was one of them. My student acted quickly making the woman comfortable, asked for the assistance of another staff person while she immediately called 911. The 911 operator kept her on the line asking her to describe the woman’s condition in order to make an informed decision on how to direct the paramedics who were to be called.

Below is the Good Samaritan Act we have in Canada which protects those who help others in an emergency situation. I do not believe my student had this on her mind when she went to assist this woman, but should others have concerns they should know this law exists.

Good Samaritan Act, 2001

S.O. 2001, CHAPTER 2

Definition

1.  In this Act,

Protection from liability

2.  (1)  Despite the rules of common law, a person described in subsection (2) who voluntarily and without reasonable expectation of compensation or reward provides the services described in that subsection is not liable for damages that result from the person's negligence in acting or failing to act while providing the services, unless it is established that the damages were caused by the gross negligence of the person. 2001, c. 2, s. 2 (1).

Persons covered

(2)  Subsection (1) applies to,

(a) a health care professional who provides emergency health care services or first aid assistance to a person who is ill, injured or unconscious as a result of an accident or other emergency, if the health care professional does not provide the services or assistance at a hospital or other place having appropriate health care facilities and equipment for that purpose; and

(b) an individual, other than a health care professional described in clause (a), who provides emergency first aid assistance to a person who is ill, injured or unconscious as a result of an accident or other emergency, if the individual provides the assistance at the immediate scene of the accident or emergency. 2001, c. 2, s. 2 (2).

Strokes

A stroke usually happens suddenly, and a person having a stroke has several of these signs:

• numbness or weakness on one side of the body
• a very bad headache
• dizziness
• loss of balance or coordination
• trouble talking or understanding what people are saying
• trouble seeing

Anyone who has even one of these symptoms should get to the hospital right away. A doctor will make sure the person is not in immediate danger and treat the patient. Without quick intervention the woman in McDonald’s may have suffered more of an impact from her stroke.

We need our Good Samaritans.

Please send me your Good Samaritan stories to share with others. Everyone loves a happy ending.

Winter Storms

Severe storms 

Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, high winds and heavy rain can develop quickly and hit hard, threatening life and property. Here are some tips on what to do when a severe storm hits. Have your children and family members discuss and practice these methods for avoiding injury during severe storms.

Indoors

• Stay away from windows, doors and fireplaces .
• During thunderstorms, stay away from items that conduct electricity, such as telephones, appliances, sinks, bathtubs, radiators and metal pipes.
• Do not go outside to remove laundry from the clothesline because it may conduct electricity.

Outdoors

• Take shelter immediately, preferably in a building or, failing this, in a depressed area such as a ditch, culvert or in a cave. Never go under a tree.
• If you are caught in the open, do not lie flat but crouch down with your feet close together and your head down (the "leap-frog" position). By minimizing your contact with the ground, you reduce the risk of being electrocuted by a ground charge.
• Do not ride bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, golf carts or use metal shovels or golf clubs because they may conduct electricity.
• Take cover if hail begins to fall. Do not attempt to cover plants, cars or garden furniture or to rescue animals. Hail comes down at great speed, especially when accompanied by high winds (some hailstones are the size of peas while others can be as big as grapefruits).
• Never touch power lines: a hanging power line could be charged (live) and you could be electrocuted. Remember also that ice, branches or power lines can continue to break and fall for several hours after the end of the precipitation.

In a car

• stop the car (away from trees or power lines that might fall on you) and remain in the car.

Above was taken from the following web site:

http://www.getprepared.ca/tip/tips/tp200711_e.asp

Nuclear Plan Sirens

News

Don't be alarmed

Sirens being installed in 'unlikely event' of an emergency, says Region

Thu Nov 15, 2007

By Jennifer Stone

CLARINGTON -- Installation of sirens to alert the public in the event of an emergency at Darlington Nuclear Generating Plant should be completed within the next several weeks, says Durham's director of Emergency Management.

There will be 14 sirens installed in Clarington, and four in Pickering , as a result of a new provincial mandate which states that the public alerting system must provide, within 15 minutes, warning to practically 100 per cent of the people "whether they be indoors or outdoors, and irrespective of the time of the year or day."

As of Tuesday, five of Clarington's sirens had been installed.

The sirens are being paid for by Ontario Power Generation, and will be owned by the Region. The Province, however, will make the call on whether they go off, said Ivan Ciuciura, Demo’s director.

Should they go off, residents are to go inside, and check with local media as to what they should do next?

The "loud, steady, high-pitched" siren "doesn't mean, 'there's a nuclear emergency, run away,'" said Mr. Ciuciura. "The siren is a warning (that means), 'there's been something happen, and find out what it is."

Above was recently reported in the local paper.

What options are there when the siren goes off?

You should review the Durham Emergency Management’s Office Nuclear plan through the following web page: http://www.ridedurham.org/departments/demo/nuclearbrochure.pdf

OPTIONS:

When the siren is heard you first should shelter in place whether you are at home, school, work or out shopping until you are receive instructions about your next steps. You need to leave the decisions up to the experts. Instructions will be given through your local TV or Radio station.

Shelter in Place: requires you to remain indoors, closing and locking all windows and exterior doors. Close all window coverings. Turn off fans, vents and heating or air conditioning vents and close fireplace dampers. Take you and your family members to an interior room with few or no windows, preferably in an above ground location. You should keep your emergency kit in this room in order to have access to it should you need to remain here for a while. Items needed for your emergency kit have been described earlier and should be tailor made to suit the needs of your family members. This room should be equipped with a phone, radio and TV. Access to a cell phone with a back up power supply would also be beneficial. Avoid using the phone unless it is an emergency as overuse of the service during an emergency may result in a busy signal.

If you are at work, ask all staff, customers to stay inside the building and close and lock all doors. Turn off and seal all mechanical systems. Guide all to inner rooms above ground but away from windows which have access to phone. Having an emergency kit placed close by in advance would be helpful. Listen to the media for further instructions.

If you are driving follow the instructions you will hear on your local radio station. You may have to pull off to the side of the road and turn off you engine and stay insider your car. If it is during the summer, drive under a shaded area. Have an emergency kit in your car. Having access to a cell phone would also be helpful. Please refer to the following web site for more information: www.ontario.ca/emo

Evacuation:

Evacuate only when instructed to by the local emergency officials through the local media or directly to homes and businesses by an automated phone system. Offer to assist your family members and neighbours who may need assistance. Prepare all members of your family including your pets to leave with their emergency survival kit.

Remain calm and follow the instructions you have received. Most households are notified by mail every few years regarding the site you should evacuate to.

More information can be found at the following web site:

http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/English/pub_security/emo/redpages/ENG_info.html

Information on where you should evacuate to for the Clarington Nuclear Emergency Plan can be found at the following web site:

http://www.clarington.net/htdocs/documents/Clarington%20Nuclear%20Plan.pdf

Host Reception Centres allow you to be monitored for radioactive contamination. Locations include Oshawa Civic Centre, Durham College,Sandord Fleming College, York University and Seneca College.

Host Evacuation Centres provide accommodation should you not be able to return home or have an alternate location to go to for awhile. Registration and Inquiry services are also provided. Locations include Seneca College, Durham College, Oshawa Civic Centre and Trent University.

KI Pills:

Potassium Iodide Pills are known to help prevent long-term thyroid cancer in the event of a radiation emergency. The Region of Durham stocks the pills and are available at outlets throughout the region, schools and Public Health. You will be notified by the media as to when to take them. Dosages are explained in the Clarington Plan.

Above all else when the siren goes off, please remain calm, do not evacuate until told to do so, listen to the media for further instructions and do not use the phone or call 911 unless it is a true emergency situation.

High Rise Evacuation Plans and Procedures

High Rise Evacuation Plans and Procedures

Before I really get started I should remind you that the Office of Emergency Management for the Region of Durham has put together some excellent material you can either pick up at the Rossland Road Office of Emergency Management Office or download from the following web site:http://www.region.durham.on.ca/departments/demo/AreYouReady.pdf

Please keep a copy of this booklet with you and incorporate it into your Emergency Kit as reference material since the booklet addresses known risks in the Region of Durham.

However having said this I would like to address what you can do to keep you and your family safe should you live in an apartment building. First of all you should have your own individual plan for your family since it should meet the needs of all family members. Next you should make sure your building superintendent is aware of anyone in your family with special needs so he/she can accommodate their needs in the plans for the building. You should never move into an apartment building which can not meet the needs of your individual family members if the building is not equipped with the equipment and plans which address the needs of those challenged. Should you still move into such a building I would recommend a lower floor so  your challenges are minimized by the distance someone may have in assisting you down the stairs should the elevators be inoperable. Special chairs should be stored in the building to lift people down the stairs.

Many high rise buildings have an intercom or radio system which would be used in a disaster. You would be advised to either stay in your apartment or shelter on site. Another method of notifying tenants used in recent years is an auto dialer system. This would be employed by the building manager or Security Company on behalf of the building which would allow them to call everyone at once and give you a message advising you of your instructions on how to address your emergency situation. In order for this system to work it is your responsibility to ensure the right people have the right numbers to call, so if you change your phone number you need to advise the building manager of this right away.

If you are unable to leave your apartment and you see smoke in the hallways or coming under your door, you will need to seal your doors to the best of your ability with tape if possible. If not at least block the smoke from coming in from under the door with a wet towel. You should then move into a smoke free room and seal the door which enters this room. While doing this you should also call 911 and let them know which room you are in and why you are unable to leave your apartment. Going towards a balcony or window would be in your best interest. If you have notified your building manager of your set of circumstances in advance he/she will have a list of tenants to provide to the fire department upon arrival needing assistance to vacate the building.

Another way of looking after yourself would be to incorporate into your plan a buddy system where you would make arrangements with someone on your floor to look after your interests should you need to evacuate your building. Even better would be to have two buddies at opposite ends of the hallways in case the centre of the hallway is blocked or one of your "buddies" is not home when the emergency occurs. Another idea to make your life safer would be to purchase your own evacuation type chair so your buddy does not have to wait for one should there by more than one person per floor in need of this piece of equipment to leave the building. You and your buddies should practice your special needs regarding how you need to be lifted etc. at regular intervals and go over your routes of leaving the building at least twice a year. A copy of the route and method you need to take to leave the building should be posted in your apartment to allow those not familiar with your set of circumstances to have the necessary details to complete your evacuation of the building safely. These would include any special instructions regarding your special needs, such as hearing impaired, sight limitations, mobility issues and special mental health concerns.

The apartment building owners should have evacuation routes posted in all corridors, stairwells and elevators. Meetings with tenants and management should happen at regular intervals to discuss the needs of having a proper plan in place. Regular training and drills will ensure that all occupants leave the apartments safely. Keeping the building managers up to date of your specific changes of circumstances will assist them in modifying their plans to accommodate your needs.

Emergency Planning is everyone's responsibility.

Please send me your comments and questions.

Evacuation Procedures for the Disabled and Elderly continued

Evacuation Procedures for the Disabled and Elderly

I received a request for information from Hal regarding the question below. It is a good question. With the response to Katrina, two Homes for the Aged were affected by the disaster and the results of their response were disasterous. Also in recent years in Russia again the result was disastrous with staff, family and local citizens making an assumption adequate plans were in place when the opposite was true. Deaths occurred in all examples with patients left in their beds without adequate care and not moved while the disaster surrounded them. 35 residents of a Nursing Home in New Orleans died from drowning when they were not evacuated and over 60 residents died in Russia from a fire. There was a an evacuation plan in place but not used. At best their plan in New Orleans would have only been able to save only a few residents as their only mode of transportation to evacuate the residents was a van.

Since the ice storm in Ontario, changes have been made to address many of the issues of evacuating or sheltering on site. The government run Homes for the Aged in both Toronto and the Region of Durham have taken this seriously and have plans in place which exceeds requirements by law. This does not mean, you as a caring and responsible friend or family member of the resident should not ask about the plans. You may see gaps in services should you examine the plans which the home has the inability to address. Negotiating with the provider of service a back up support plan would be beneficial for all. Many homes ask families to come and take their residents home for a short while should they experience a crisis. This is a good idea and would provide comfort for all to know that everyone shares the responsibility of care. This however would also add more work for the home to track their residents.

I have been involved with the writing or emergency plans for Long Term Care Facilities, training of staff and the testing of the plans through exercises. Most of the Government run facilities ask for volunteers from their staff to put this together and ask for support form other supporting government bodies, such as Social Services, EMS, Police and Public Health to help. In addition they may also ask for support from local churches, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and St. John Ambulance to assist as well. Most have excellent plans in place. If a disaster should occur to only one site this plan would probably be adequate and keep eveyone safe. All government run facilities also have identifed alternate sites to move their residents to should their own location be considered not safe to remain in.

Most problems occur when the need exceeds the resources. Should there be a disaster which would affect a whole neighbourhood, city, town or the Region, this scenario would occur and this is where additional support is needed. Power outages are no longer an issue for most Long Term Care Facilities or hospitals as they now have back up generators which allow them to continue to offer service when there is a disruption in power. Smog Alerts, Cold Alerts and Hot Weather Alerts are also addressed by the homes by modifying their excersions and activities when the alerts are called assuring the safety of their vulnerable population. SARS also brought about improvements with plans for the Flu Season. Entering a Homes for the Aged you are reminded on the transfer of germs by the bottles of Hand Wash at the front door, in the elevator and in the halls.

More care of the elderly is needed for those who remain in their own homes. Family members and friends should remember to check on their loved ones more often when the alerts are called. Additional resources may be needed for them at that time. Some seniors are affected by the weather more than others by their health issues and medications they take to address them. They are more likely to become dehydrated quickly when a Heat Alert is called because of the medication they may be taking. Reminding them to drink more water and to stay in an air cooled space would be helpful. More information on these issues will be offered at a later date when they are seasonally appropriate.

Last year I taught Emergency Management at Durham College and had a guest speaker in from Durham Emergency Medical Services. He spoke of the reliance on his staff to evacuate all residents from Durham Long Term Care Facilities to safe evacuation sites, when in reality should this be wide spread he would have inadequate resources to meet their needs. I have been in touch with one of the Region's Homes for the Aged where I know they take this issue very seriously and am trying to get details regarding their plans to report. I do know they receive support from Durham Social Services and Durham Transit with their Emergency Evacuation Plan. I know that the office of Emergency Management always welcomes questions regarding the Region's plans and would answer all questions from the public. What I would recommend is that anyone with a loved one in a long term care facility check out the emergency plans in place, with the management at the home their family member is residing in, and ask them about their procedures. Most homes also have family support groups where this issue can be brought up or citizens groups where they welcome support from the public on how to address their concerns. 

   Question asked by a Reader:

What about relatives who are in a long term care facility? The only plans I know of for hospitals and seniors homes are to get the residents to the curb. If the neighborhood has to be evacuated the plan falls apart. There is no real plan to pick up the residents and move them out of the area.

If there is any emergency declared should we run down to evacuate them ourselves? I've always wondered about this. Maybe there were plans made recently that take care of this?

I decided to try and answer this question first and will talk about High Rise evacuations in the my next blog. Please keep the questions coming. More information regarding this question will be forthcoming when I have heard back from my sources.