Emergency Management

Emergency Management is an integral part of the Municipal District of Bonnyville’s commitment to public safety for residents. While there are several layers of emergency management, both from the federal and provincial governments, local municipalities, carry much of the burden in this area. 

  1. The Four Stages of a Disaster

There are four fundamentals that emergency planners focus on, — Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Depending on the severity of the incident, some or all areas may be utilized when dealing with a local disaster. This figure illustrates the Emergency Management Process or Continuum as established by Public Safety Canada:

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  1. Role of Your Local Government

While numerous partner agencies such as the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), Fire Services, EMS (Emergency Medical Services), may respond to the incident, preparing and having systems in place ahead of time can be critical for a successful outcome. This is where the local Director of Emergency Management (DEM) plays a significant role. As the coordinator of the disaster, the DEM work within the Emergency Coordination Centre and in step with the Incident Commander located at the scene. 

The coordination of human resources, the procurement of equipment and supplies, the sourcing of food and safety equipment, scheduling, billing, and even accommodations for personnel, all fall under a complex system of plans and agreements that have been drafted and exercised ahead of time. In addition, there are rules established by the province that set out what is legislatively required for all municipalities in Alberta in terms of emergency management. 

For more information or to see how you can get involved, please contact your DEM at lgandolfi@md.bonnyville.ab.ca or by calling 780-812-3332.

  1. Steps to Become Prepared

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  1. Be Hazard Aware

Be Hazard Aware

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Natural Hazards

Wildfires

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Flooding

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Severe Weather

Thunderstorms, lightning, and hail

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Blizzards, freezing rain, and ice storms

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Technological Hazards

Power and water outages

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Biological Hazards

Pandemic Influenza

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  1. What Can You Do?

Emergency preparedness is not just a government responsibility. Being prepared means you know what to do, where to go, and that you have supplies to properly respond to emergencies and disasters. By taking simple steps towards becoming more prepared, you can better navigate disruptions when they occur so you can get back to your life and work sooner. When we are prepared to take care of our needs for a minimum 72 hours, it allows First Responders and all levels of government to focus on managing the crisis and helping those who need it most.

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72-hour kit

What is in a 72-hour kit? Simply put, it is a bag or box containing enough supplies, food, and other personal necessities capable of sustaining an individual or group of people for a minimum of 72 hours (about three days). Typical contents can include gloves, radios, batteries, rope or twine, chemical heat products, sanitary products, and so on. Do not forget your family’s medication when building your 72-hour kit! A useful link to see what a 72-hour kit should contain can be found here.

Emergency Kit for Vehicles

Along with creating a 72-hour emergency kit for your home, did you know that having an emergency kit for your car is important too? Drivers in Alberta are exposed to a variety of climates. Conditions often change rapidly and without warning. Having an emergency kit for your vehicle will ensure you are prepared to handle any incidents while on the road, such as poor weather, vehicle breakdowns, and lengthy traffic accidents. To learn more about what you can do to be prepared for any situation that arises, please visit the following link.

Emergency Kit for your Pets

Don’t forget about your furry (or scaly) companions! Waiting until an emergency occurs to plan for our pet’s wellbeing often leads to unnecessary stress and confusion. During an evacuation, pets may need to be placed in alternative care such as temporary housing or private care. Make sure they have all the necessary items to be comfortable during any situation that arises. To see some suggestions on what should be included in a 72-hour kit for your pet, visit this link.

This organization assists with emergency preparedness, retrieval, and response for those with pets during emergencies and disasters at this link.

FireSmart

What measures can we take to live safely next to the natural beauty of the forests in the M.D of Bonnyville? We can become FireSmart! 

Founded in 1999, the FireSmart program was developed to increase neighbourhood resilience to wildfires and minimize the negative impacts these events have on our communities. These practices help ensure that all community members can safely cohabitate within these natural areas, otherwise known as the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). To see how your residence compares to these recommendations, download the FireSmart home assessment to complete a self-assessment of your property here, and visit this link for more information.

  1. Build an Emergency Plan

Stay Informed

Voyent Alert!

Want a way to stay connected and up to date on the most current day-to-day events and critical events that are happening in your community? Download the Voyent Alert! app today to receive relevant and time-sensitive information on the go. 

Alerts will be sent in many ways, including through the app, text messages, emails, and even through landline telephones. It is easy, free to use, and is available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Find out more information by checking out this link.

Alberta Emergency Alert App

Be sure to download the Alberta Emergency Alert App for up-to-date information on disasters within the province, where they are occurring and the actions you will need to take to remain safe. To download the app, please visit the following link.

Wildfire App

To stay updated on the current wildfire status in your area and within the province or to report a wildfire, download the provincial Wildfire App here.  

WeatherCan App

Developed by the Government of Canada, this app will help ensure that you can stay up to date on the current weather patterns in your area as well as any location across Canada. The app is free and is available to download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. For more information or to download the app, follow this link.