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Emergency preparedness

Always call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Emergencies and disasters can happen with little or no warning. Take action today to prepare yourself and your family for potential emergencies.

The following information has been adapted from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the Government of Canada.

Before an emergency

Know the risks

Knowing the emergencies you could face allows you and your family to plan your response. Identifying responses unique to each emergency makes it easier to act fast when seconds matter.

The below emergencies could be experienced in Leduc County. Click on the emergency type to learn what to do before, during and after the emergency:

  • armed intruder
  • chemical releases
  • earthquakes
  • floods
  • power and water outages
  • severe storms
    • thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain and hail
    • blizzards, freezing rain, ice storms and extreme cold
    • tornadoes and extreme winds
  • wildfires

Make a plan

Household emergency plan

Your household needs an emergency plan. This plan includes important information to help guide you through an emergency.

Use the emergency preparedness guide to create your household emergency plan. If your family has special needs, use the emergency preparedness guide for people with disabilities/special needs.

For information about how to prepare farm animals for an emergency, view emergency preparedness for farm animals.

Rural residents face unique challenges in emergency situations; consider developing a rural emergency plan to prepare for fires or hazardous material spills.

Financial preparedness

The below tips will help your family become financially prepared for an emergency:

  • Speak to an insurance agent about your specific needs.
  • Know your insurance policy. Make sure your home, vehicle, business and belongings are protected.
  • If possible, consider an emergency savings account to cover temporary expenses while you are out of your home.
  • If you can, keep emergency cash handy in case banking services are unavailable.
  • If you are evacuated, keep all receipts for additional expenses.
  • Prepare a detailed list of all your belongings. View more information from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
  • Know the seven steps for making a home insurance claim. View more information from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Build an emergency kit

In the event of a major emergency or disaster, normal emergency services are often interrupted. You should be prepared to be self sufficient for at least the first 72 hours after an emergency.

Emergency supplies

Your 72-hour emergency kit should reflect your family's unique needs. It should include the following items:

  • non-perishable food
  • water and liquids (four litres per person per day)
  • a first-aid kit
  • batteries
  • candles
  • matches and/or lighters
  • critical documents, such as identification, birth certificates, social insurance numbers, health care cards, insurance records and prescriptions.
  • essential medications and medical supplies
  • entertainment such as books and toys
  • extra clothing
  • extra bedding
  • chargers for cell phones

View a 72-hour emergency kit checklist

Special items

When building your kit, consider what items you need if any of the following apply to your family:

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or infants
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have infant children you will want to include the following:
  • feeding items:
    • breastfeeding aides
    • formula
    • bottles
    • baby food
    • extra water
  • diapers, wipes and extra clothes
  • prenatal vitamins, ointments and medications for mom and child (over-the-counter and prescription)
Disabilities or special needs
If you have special needs you will want to include additional supports. For example, if you use a wheelchair you may want to include the following:
  • tire patch kit or can of seal-in-air product to repair flat tires on your wheelchair or scooter
  • supply of inner tubes
  • pair of heavy gloves to protect your hands while wheeling over glass or other sharp debris
  • latex-free gloves for anyone providing personal care to you
  • spare deep-cycle battery for a motorized wheelchair or scooter
  • a lightweight, manual wheelchair as a backup to a motorized wheelchair, if possible
  • spare catheters, if needed
  • your power outage backup plan
Allergies or chronic conditions

If you have severe allergies, chronic medical conditions or other medical needs, you will want to include the necessary supplies. For example, if you have diabetes you will want to include the following:

  • MedicAlert bracelet or identification
  • extra supply of insulin or oral agent
  • pump supplies, syringes, needles and insulin pens
  • small container for storing used syringes and/or needles
  • blood glucose testing kit, spare batteries and record book
  • supply of blood glucose and urine ketone testing strips and fast acting insulin for high blood glucose, if needed
  • fast acting sugar for low blood glucose
  • extra food to cover delayed meals
  • ice packs and thermal bag to store insulin
  • additional snacks to maintain blood glucose
Pets

If you have pets, you will want to include the necessary supplies, such as the following:

  • pet carrier
  • food
  • extra water
  • extra collar,or harness and leash
  • blankets/towels
  • medication
  • copies of vaccination records, identification tags and insurance information

View an emergency kit checklist for pets

Individuals are encouraged to have an emergency kit in their vehicle(s).

Pre-packaged kits and supplies can be purchased from the Canadian Red Cross and other commercial entities. 

Stay aware

View or sign up get advisories and public safety alerts.

Emergency alerts

Alert Ready

Alert Ready is Canada's national emergency alerting system. No sign-up is required; it automatically sends life-saving emergency alerts through television, radio and compatible mobile devices.

Check if your cell phone is compatible with Alert Ready.

Alberta Emergency Alert

Alberta Emergency Alert is Alberta's emergency alerting system. Communities, including Leduc County, can issue emergency alerts to notify citizens of a potential or ongoing emergency and provide instructions for what you should do to stay safe.

These alerts are broadcast on television and radio. You should download the mobile app to receive notifications to your mobile device.

Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app on your smartphone or tablet from the Apple Store or Google Play store, or text FollowAB_EmergAlert to 21212 to receive text notifications.

Fire advisories, restrictions and bans

Alberta Fire Bans

Communities in Alberta, including Leduc County, post fire advisories, restrictions and bans to the Alberta Fire Bans website. Sign up to receive these alerts via email. You can also call the fire ban information line at 1-866-FYI-FIRE (1-866-394-3473).

Download the Fire Bans app on your smartphone or tablet from the Apple Store or Google Play store.

Alberta Parks

Alberta Parks is responsible for issuing fire advisories, restrictions and bans in provincial parks.

Alberta Wildfire

The Alberta Wildfire website has the latest updates on the status of all wildfires burning in Alberta. Report a wildfire by calling toll-free to 310-FIRE (310-3473)

Download the Alberta Wildfire app on your smartphone or tablet from the Apple Store or Google Play store.

Flood advisories and warnings

The Alberta Rivers website has the latest updates on flood advisories and warnings in the province.

Download the Alberta Rivers app on your smartphone or tablet from the Apple Store or Google Play store.

Health advisories and warnings

Blue-green algae advisories

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) advisories are issued when blue-green algae is detected on a body of water.

View blue green algae advisories issued by Alberta Health Services.

Health advisories

View active health advisories issued by Alberta Health Services.

Provincial parks advisories and alerts

Alberta Parks advisories

View active advisories for provincial parks and recreation areas.

Fire advisories, restrictions and bans

View fire advsories, restrictions and bans for provincial parks and recreation areas.

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) bans

View active off-highway vehicle (OHV) bans in provincial parks and recreation areas.

Trail reports

View trail reports for provincial parks and recreation areas.

Weather watches, warnings and statements

Public weather alerts

Environment Canada issues public weather alerts when current or forecasted weather conditions pose a threat to public safety. Weather watches, warnings and statements are issued for a variety of weather conditions, such as blizzards, extreme heat or cold, severe thunderstorm, tornado, wind and snowfall.

View weather watches and warnings in Alberta.

During an emergency

General steps to follow

  • Activate and follow your emergency plan.
  • Use your 72-hour emergency kit.
  • Make sure you are safe before assisting others. Check yourself and those around you for injuries; administer first aid, if needed, and call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.
  • Monitor alerts from Alberta Emergency Alert.
  • Listen to a local radio or television station for information from local authorities.
  • Access your local authority's website or social media channels for information.
  • Listen to instructions from authorities; you may be asked to evacuate or stay where you are.
  • Limit non-emergency phone calls to keep phone networks free for those who require emergency services. This also helps to save battery power if you are using a cell phone.

Emergency roles

When it comes to emergency preparedness and emergency management, we all have a role to play.

Individuals and families

Individuals and families should be prepared to take care of themselves for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency and should also understand the basic principles of first aid and safety.

First responders

First responders, such as police, paramedics and firefighters, are normally the first to respond to an emergency. They, in conjunction with local municipalities, are responsible for managing most local emergencies.

Municipalities

Local governments are responsible for making sure their communities are prepared for emergencies. Leduc County maintains a municipal Emergency Management Plan that details steps to be taken in the event of an emergency or disaster in Leduc County.

A major emergency mutual-aid agreement is in place between all municipalities located within Leduc County boundaries to ensure adequate resources are available in an emergency. The county also works closely with Edmonton International Airport and Alberta Emergency Management Agency and is an active member of the Capital Region Emergency Planning Partnership. 

Government of Alberta

In Alberta, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency is the coordinating agency for emergency management activities and initiatives. It monitors the province for porential emergencies and disasters on a 24/7 basis.

Government of Canada

Federal departments and agencies support provincial and/or territorial emergency management organizations. They also manage emergencies that involve areas of federal jurisdiction, such as nuclear safety, national defence and border security.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Non-government organizations, such as the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance and The Salvation Army, play an important role in emergency management, including disaster prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Communicating during an emergency

Being able to communicate with family, friends and emergency responders during an emergency is critical.

It is important to keep in mind that everyday communication devices may not work properly during an emergency. Here are some tips to keep you connected:

  • Limit non-emergency phone calls.
  • If possible, use text messaging, email or social media, as these use less bandwidth than voice communications and may work even when phone service has been disrupted.
  • If you must use a phone, keep your conversation brief and convey only vital information.
  • If you are unable to complete a call, wait 10 seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion.
  • Keep extra batteries or a charger for your mobile device in your emergency kit.
  • If you have a landline, keep at least one corded phone in your home.
  • Remember, in an emergency or to save a life, call 9-1-1 for help.

Learn more about communicating during emergencies.

Sheltering in place

If hazardous materials are released into the air, authorities may direct you to shelter-in-place. This means you should stay where you are and follow their instructions.

The below lists provide tips for how to shelter-in-place based on where you are:

At home
  • Close and lock windows and exterior doors. Close window shades, blinds, or curtains.
  • Turn off fans, heating and air conditioning. Close the fireplace damper.
  • Get your emergency kit and make sure the radio is working.
  • If you don’t have a hardwired phone, gather a cell phone and charger.
  • Call your emergency contact.
  • Go to an interior room above ground level, without windows if possible. Above-ground locations are safer as some chemicals are heavier than air and seep into basements even if windows are closed.
  • Keep your pets with you along with food and water.
  • Use duct tape and plastic sheeting, or wet towels, to seal cracks around doors and vents.
  • Listen to radio or TV and check the Alberta Emergency Alert app until you’re told the danger has passed or you’re told to evacuate.
In your vehicle
  • If you are close to your home, office or a public building, get inside immediately and follow the recommendations detailed in the "at home" section above.
  • If you can’t get to a building, pull over and stop in the safest place possible. If it’s sunny, stop in the shade to avoid overheating.
  • Turn the engine off. Close windows and vents. If possible, seal them with duct tape.
  • Listen to radio for updates and instructions.
  • Stay where you are until it’s safe to go.
At work
  • Lock all doors, windows and openings. Close window shades, blinds or curtains.
  • Keep customers/visitors inside with you.
  • Ask everyone to call their emergency contacts to tell them their location and .
  • Turn on call-forwarding and answering systems. Change voicemail recordings to say the business is closed and everyone is staying inside until it’s safe outside.
  • Ensure employees know how to turn off fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Turn off systems that automatically exchange inside air with outside.
  • Gather non-perishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting and garbage bags.
  • Go to interior room(s) above ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. Large rooms without exterior windows work well. Avoid rooms with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes that may be difficult to seal off.
  • If you don’t have a hard wired phone, bring a cell phone and charger.
  • Use duct tape and plastic sheeting, or wet towels, to seal cracks around the door(s) and vents into the room.
  • Write down everyone’s name and call your business’s designated emergency contact.
Sheltering in place with farm animals

Remain on your property with your animals until the emergency passes or gets resolved. Decide whether to confine the animals in an available shelter or leave them outdoors.

In case of flooding, ensure that your animals can be moved to high ground and have access to feed and clean water.

An outdoor sheltering location should:

  • Avoid places that have overhead power lines or poles.
  • Have no debris or sources of blowing debris.
  • Have access to at least three days of food and clean water for your animals.
  • Have adequate and safe fences that will maintain control of the animals.

Learn more about sheltering in place.

Evacuation

Evacuation alerts

Evacuation alerts warn the public of a potential or current threat. If an evacuation alert is issued, do the following:

  • Plan to evacuate with enough items to keep your family comfortable for a minimum of 72 hours.
  • Keep the radio on all day and tuned to a local station. Have a battery-powered radio ready in case of power failure.
  • Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app to stay up-to-date.
  • Keep in touch with absent household members and ensure that a plan is in place if evacuation orders are given.
Evacuation orders

Evacuation orders are mandatory and issued for public safety. If an evacuation order is issued, do the following:

  • Vacate your home when authorities advise you to do so. Ignoring these instructions could jeopardize the safety of your family and/or those rescuing you.
  • Bring your pet(s) with you. Pet owners should determine where they will bring their pets ahead of time, as not all emergency reception centres accept pets. Owners can contact their veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels, ask a local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter, identify hotels outside of the immediate area that accept pets or ask friends or family outside the immediate area if they would be willing to take in a pet.
  • Take your emergency kit with you.
  • Follow the routes specified by officials. Do not take shortcuts as they could lead to a blocked or dangerous area.
  • Drive carefully with headlights on. Make way for pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
  • Stop at the pre-determined marshaling point(s). Report to authorities and wait for further instructions. Do not leave again without informing officials.
  • Do not return to your property until permitted to do so by authorities.
  • If time permits, leave a note informing others when you left and where you went. If you have a mailbox, leave the note in there.
  • Shut off water and electricity if you are asked to by an officials.
  • Leave natural gas service on, unless officials tell you otherwise. If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond. You would be without gas for heating and cooking.
  • If the evacuation occurs in the winter, take extra precautions.
    • Turn off the water and then drain the water from your plumbing system.
    • Starting at the top of the house, open all taps, and flush toilets several times.
    • Go to the basement and open the drain valve.
    • Drain your hot water tank by attaching a hose to the tank drain valve and running it to the basement floor (if you have a gas-fired tank, the pilot light should be turned out - call the local gas supplier to re-light it).
    • Protect the valve, inlet pipe, and meter or pump with blankets or insulation material.
Evacuating with farms animals

Plan ahead and work with your community to determine what safe shelters are available for farm animals. Keep in mind your animals may be evacuated to a centralized location and will comingle with other animals. Always ensure the following:

  • You have sufficient feed and medical supplies available or can be delivered.
  • Your animals have sufficient identification.
  • Minimize contact among animals from different premises.
  • Feed and water is protected from contact with wild animals and birds.
  • Health and vaccination status of animals has been verified.
  • You can handle death in a manner that minimizes the possible spread of contagious diseases.
  • You have arranged for special provisions (milking, for example).

Protect yourself and your family first. There may be circumstances where the risk to life is great, but there is not enough time to evacuate your animals. After ensuring the safety of yourself and your family, if it is safe to do so and time permits, do the following:

  • Open gates between pens and pastures to give the animals more room to escape the hazard.
  • Put extra feed and water out where the animals can get to it, as it may be a few days before you are allowed to return home.
  • Consider turning off power and natural gas to reduce the chance of these utilities causing additional problems while you are gone.

Learn more about what you should do if an evacuation order is issued.

After an emergency

Recovery

The process to repair and restore your life after an emergency or disaster is not easy and takes time, flexibility and patience.

Examples of recovery include:

  • removing waste and debris
  • contacting your insurance company
  • replacing lost or destroyed documentation
  • finding a new home
  • getting mental health support

Re-entry

If you had to evacuate, you can't return home until authorities have told you it's safe to do so. Use extreme caution at all times.

Do not enter your home of property if:

  • it has not been deemes safe to enter by an expert
  • any part of the structure has collapsed
  • the structure is off its foundation
  • the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding

Your mental health

Emergencies and disasters challenge our coping skills and impact us in different ways. Sometimes we have emotional responses right away and sometimes they show up days, weeks, months or even years after.

Feelings of stress are normal, but some people can experience more severe distress and may require help. Monitor yourself and your loved ones for signs of distress which could include the following:

  • difficulty sleeping
  • emotional outbursts
  • anxiety
  • depression or unexplained physical issues

If any of these signs appear, make sure to talk about them and seek advice from a professional. Leduc County residents can call 2-1-1 to be connected to service providers in the community.

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Address

Leduc County
101-1101 5 St.
Nisku, AB T9E 2X3

Contact us

Phone: 780-955-3555
Toll free: 1-800-379-9052
Fax: 780-955-3444

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