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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 9, 2007 - 3 Are you ready for an emergency? Oakville's emergency agencies are prepared for the worst widespread emergency like a flood or a power failure people need to be prepared to fend for themselves for the first few days. In the event of an emergency is your family pre"In the first three days of an emergency our first pared? responders police, fire, ambulance and everyone are This is the theme of this year's Emergency busy dealing with the situation itself," he said. Preparedness week, which runs from May 6 to 12 "People should be able to take care of themselves and was kicked off at Oakville's Town Hall, last for the first three days. It's not that we're forgetting Wednesday. about them, it's just that we want to get to the critOver a dozen vendors, including representatives ical aspects first and then we can get to the broader from the Halton Regional Police Service, the parts after." Canadian Red Cross and the Oakville Fire Prevention The Canadian Red Cross also advocates the need Division, set up booths packed with information to for people to be prepared for the possible scenarios educate the public about what to of being forced out of their home do in the event of an emergency. by a disaster or being forced to "These events are fantastic stay in their home by a disaster. because they get people prepared Members of the public are and thinking about these things asked to store enough clean that may happen. Floods, hurridrinking water, food, first aid, canes, ice storms, power outages emergency tools (flashlights) and and things like that," said clothing to get through three Michael Harrison, the public edudays. cation officer with the Oakville For more details on emerFire Prevention Division and gency supplies that should be organizer of the day's event. assembled at all times Google 72 "The public can come here hours...Is your family Prepared? they can have questions "They need to be prepared," answered, they can ask people said Campbell Reeves, the past like the Red Cross, the police, the president of the Oakville branch Oakville Fire Chief Halton emergency measures peoof the Canadian Red Cross. Richard Boyes ple, the fire department all about "Emergency preparedness what they should do to prepare. So, they can leave starts with the individual. We come in if that indihere with some pretty good answers to their ques- vidual is unable to cope but if every individual is tions." unable to cope then we're stretched." During a presentation Oakville Fire Chief Richard Laura Peters, a student from Abbey Park High Boyes explained the precautions the Town of Oakville School who is working with the Red Cross, is taking so it can be ready for an emergency. explained that people should not delay in preparing "It is imperative that each municipality is pre- for an emergency. pared and has a well rehearsed emergency plan. We "It can happen any time and anywhere," she said. have conducted training for senThe message was the same ior staff on the implementation "People should be able to from Halton police. of our emergency plan and how take care of themselves for "We cannot do it alone," said it fits in with the provincial Deputy Chief Andrew Fletcher. the first three days. It's not framework of emergency plan"A well prepared community that we're forgetting about ning," he said. can better cope with whatever "As well, the senior staff has them, it's just that we want emergency comes its way and participated in a pandemic plan- to get the critical aspects first while the police service and a lot ning exercise to work our way and then we can get to the of other emergency service through being prepared for a providers have the necessary broader parts after." pandemic. As well, later on this equipment and resources in year or early next year the Town place to professionally respond Nick Buczynsky, of Oakville, in conjunction with to these emergencies and disasHalton Region Community some of our partner agencies, ters, it is critical that members of Emergency Management will be conducting an emerthe community be prepared." Coordinator gency exercise to start to test the Adults were not the only ones plan so that we are ready for a picking the brains of Halton's major emergency." emergency personnel. Among the vendors present was Laura Griffin, of Hundreds of grade school children bused in Portable and Backup Power Solutions, who was from all over Oakville also attended the Town Hall showcasing some of the latest in emergency gener- event. ator technology. "Emergency preparedness is very important for This included a backpack equipped with solar everyone especially children and when the children panels which Griffin explained could prove life sav- go home and explain to their parents just how ing in the event of an emergency when no electrical much fun they had on the field trip hopefully that power is available. will motivate the parents to start thinking about "This keeps your cell phone, GPS (Global something like this," said Melissa Foster, who Positioning System) unit, IPOD and any other small brought her Grade 4 class from St. Joan of Arc electronics charged when you're out and away from Catholic Elementary School. a traditional power source," she said. "Nobody wants to think about emergencies but Nick Buczynsky, Community Emergency it's important to be prepared. So, we hope that by Management Coordinator for the Regional making the kids enthusiastic with a special day like Municipality of Halton, stressed that in the event of this it will spill over into the home." OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF By David Lea 905-633-9581 MEMBERS' WED.-SAT., MAY 9-12 ONLY! DON'T MISS OUR SUPER SALE! 4 DAY OUR REG. PRICE ON ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE IN-STORE! Fabricland's fixed Membership year began September 1 and runs to August 31. Purchase your membership at any participating Fabricland store by filling out an application and paying the applicable non-refundable membership fee. Reduced Membership Fee Now $16 GST included. Renewals, Seniors or Students Now $11.50 GST included. Insertion date: Wed., May 9, 2007 (or other) OPEN SUNDAYS 12-5 Insertion Size: 4 X 110 (or other) 140 Please set all address info here. Proof to Manager. Rebecca St. OAKVILLE 844-7728 844-7728